Siquijor LGU to address gaps in anti-VAWC implementation

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Dec. 20 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Siquijor will address gaps in the implementation of the anti-violence against women and children (VAW-C) laws in the province. 

This came on the heels of an information caravan on the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) or RA 9710. The caravan aimed to encourage dialogue among anti-violence against women (VAW) service providers toward unifying guidelines in responding to cases of violence or abuses against women and children. 

Among the service providers are the PNP VAW desk officers, health officers, social welfare officers and prosecutors who discuss ways to better respond to recurring problems such as fee collection and for medical/medico-legal certificates if VAW survivors. 

During the forum, Police Superintendent Milagros Y. Soliano bared that the Philippine National Police (PNP) Siquijor Provincial Office has difficulty securing medico-legal certificates for the VAW survivors because of the required fees. 

She said that in some cases, the PNP’s Women and Children Protection Unit has to shoulder the fees for the certificates to promptly respond to the case. 

Provincial health officer Redempta A. Cortes said official guidelines should be set so the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) can waive fees for medical certificates of VAW survivors. 

Meanwhile, Provincial Governor Orlando A. Fua Jr. said women and men can both “contribute in our never-ending quest for improvement and nation building,” as he lauded the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) for its advocacy of women and children laws in the province. 

The information caravan discussed the Magna Carta of Women (RA9710) and other anti-VAW laws. Laws related to VAW are the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (RA7877), the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children (RA 9262) and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (RA 9208). 

It was attended by heads and representatives of national agencies, local chief executives headed by Provincial Governor Orlando A. Fua Jr., Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Sangguniang Bayan chairpersons of the committee on women, barangay captains and women and other civic organizations. 

The local officials with some faculty and students of SSC, BIT International College of School-Siquijor, Quezon Memorial Institute-Siquijor had their shares of commitment on strengthening the Magna Carta of Women in the province. 

It was held at the Siquijor State College Gymnasium and facilitated by the Provincial Government of Siquijor through the Planning and Development office headed by Gladys Estrallada, also the Gender and Development (GAD) focal point person. (FCR/RACalibo/PIA-Siquijor)