CAGAYAN de Oro City Vice Mayor Jocelyn ‘Bebot’ Rodriguez yesterday vowed to push for barangay-level intervention in the protection of women against domestic violence and other forms of harassment and threats.
“We must strengthen the support of women and children who are victims of any kind of abuse,” said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez even said that the protection of women and children and the welfare of solo parents are issues that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration will focus on.
“By empowering the barangay officials to implement the provisions of RA 9262 on Violation Against Women and Children, we can prevent more violence against women and children in the city,” said Rodriguez.
Her statements were also in response to the call of Councilor Imee Moreno during the council session on Monday to institutionalize the awarding of VAWC desk officers' honorarium because of the stature of their services to the people, especially in VAWC victims.
Rodriguez said she is urging the local officials in the barangays to protect and care of their welfare.
“We are, also urging our (local government) to respond with fervor and intensify programs and policies addressing these concerns,” said Rodriguez.
She explained that neighbors and barangay officials are certainly aware of who in their community are victims of domestic violence but would choose to remain silent over the wrong perception, especially in rural communities, that it must be kept private between a couple.
According to the report, a total of 6,383 VAW have already been reported to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Women and Children Protection Center from January to July 2022, while 9,677 cases of violence against children have also been tallied in the same period.
She added that she was very strict during her time as the chairwoman of Barangay Nazareth.
“But what is happening is that the wife is forgiving and always forgives the husband,” she said.
She also added that most of the women who are victims of abuse by their husbands do not know what to do, where they should go, and if their rights will be protected.
“I am grateful to the VAWC desk officers for their interest in serving the victims but it is necessary that the barangay officials really help them,” the vice mayor said.
In this, Rodriguez is hopeful that the council of the barangays through Councilor Alam Lim will discuss the full implementation of the power given by law to the barangay captains and analysis of the possible responsibility of other barangay officials to assist the VAWCs.
She said that desk officers or volunteers in order to live the mandate of the law and strengthen the program to protect the rights of women and children in every barangay in the city.
Because of this, Rodrguez said barangay officials should intensify their campaign against VAWC and strictly follow their mandate on the protection of both women and children.
