To improve public safety response services to incidents of violence against women and their children (VAWC) and gender-based violence (GBV), the municipality of Bontoc strengthened support and interventions anchored to the Municipal Ordinance No. 383, series of 2023.
The ordinance provides a clear command structure for responsibility and accessibility and by encouraging and facilitating the prompt deployment of a seamless nationwide communication for emergency services.
This ordinance builds upon the existing national framework provided by Republic Act No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004.
Situation in Bontoc
Bontoc recorded nine cases in 2023 which are: one (1) attempted rape in relation to RA 7610; one (1) Acts of Lasciviousness in relation to RA 76104, four (4) crime of rape in relation to RA 8353, one (1) Physical Injury in Relation of RA 7610, Sexual Assault in Relation of RA 7610 and one (1) Gender Based Violence (Sexual Assault).
As of 2024, there are three cases reported which are: one (1) RA 9262 s. Violation Permanent Protection Order, one (1) Act of Lasciviousness in relation to RA 7610 and one (1) RA 9955 Anti-photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009.
Government Interventions
Bernardo Cadaon, Social Welfare and Development Team Leader of Mountain Province, emphasizes the importance of the ordinance in addressing local needs.
“The DSWD will just make a case assessment on how to handle marital conflict, how they can handle the abuse of mens toward womens and their children. The relationship that they cannot no longer settle the custody is the best of course the advocacy is even though they will separate they will still have to do co-parenting so that the parental guidance and responsibilities for their kids is what we want to advocate to them”, Cadaon said.
Cadaon added that there is a regular counseling that they provide for the victims survivor of VAWC or any related Gender-Based Concerns.
The DSWD will also offer training and capacity-building programs to Local Government Units (LGUs) to enhance their case management skills.
Maricel Manikid, a resident of Bontoc, applauds the ordinance. “It empowers women to report abuse to authorities and seek legal recourse,” she said.
Furthermore, the ordinance designates the primary service providers which are Philippine National Police (PNP), Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), Municipal Health Office (MHO), Prosecutor’s Office, and Public Attorney’s Office as primary service responders.
“Barangay officials will ensure the victim receives necessary help, including referrals to hospitals, the police, MSWDO, or the issuance of a Barangay Protection Order (BPO) valid for 15 days. The BPO can be enforced even if the perpetrator resides in the same household; they will be compelled to leave, not the victim”, Aracelli Shane Bayanos, Social Welfare Officer III of Bontoc, Mt. Province said.
Bayanos also added that if the victim wants to file, the police officers will be the one who will handle the filing. They will conduct an investigation and get the statement of the victim while the MSWDO will see what intervention or the victim’s need. Though they will also make a case study for the attachment that will be attached to the filing of the police statement and the result of investigation.