Bontoc, Mountain Province – The Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) has institutionalized municipal-wide Emergency Hotline numbers (09692569800 and 09985987835) which shall be available and responsive 24 hours a day to respond to cases of Gender-Based Violence and Violence against Women and Children (GBV-VAWC) and rape cases in the capital town.
GBV refers to violence targeted towards a particular person because of his/her gender that causes or is likely to cause another’s mental, emotional, or psychological distress, and fear of personal safety, sexual harassment acts including unwanted sexual remarks and comments.
VAWC refers to any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women and children, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty whether occurring in private and public life, or online.
This forms part of the ordinance passed by the Sangguniang Bayan of Bontoc aimed to improve public safety response services to incidents of violence against women and their children and gender-based violence by providing a clear command structure for responsibility and accessibility and by encouraging and facilitating the prompt deployment of a seamless nationwide communication for emergency services.
Ordinance No. 383, s. 2023, an Ordinance Establishing the Response Mechanism and Protocol in Handling Gender-Based Violence against Women and their Children, and Rape Cases in the Municipality of Bontoc, Mountain Province clearly explains the establishment of VAWC/ GBV and Rape Desk in every barangay; the functions of the Barangay VAWC Desk; the protocol in responding and handling GBV, VAWC, and rape cases; the primary service responders of GBV-VAWC and rape cases hotline numbers; the protocol for hotline response, Disaster Risk Mechanism; establishment of Municipal Shelters for VAWC, GBV, and rape victim-survivors; Monitoring and Reporting; and among others.
It was stipulated in the ordinance that the primary service responders are the PNP, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), Municipal Health Office (MHO), and Prosecutor’s Office and Public Attorney’s Office.
The primary service responders will form the inter-agency Task Force addressing GBV-VAWC and rape cases. Also, it is stated in the ordinance that support service agencies and providers shall also be tapped by the municipality to provide assistance and support consistent with their respective mandates. Accredited non-government organizations (NGOs), hospital and medical institutions and facilities, public safety volunteers, and such other institutions and facilities may also be utilized in reference to their mandate.
In addition, the MSWDO in coordination with the PNP shall promote the services of the GBV-VAWC hotline numbers in partnership with identified and concerned offices of Bontoc LGU and national government agencies, with corresponding responsibilities.
The Bontoc LGU shall allot a budget for the establishment and operation of the GBV-VAWC Desk which shall be charged to the Gender and Development (GAD) fund. Also, respective agencies designated to provide service shall also allocate a corresponding budget sourced from their agency or office program.
The said ordinance was sponsored by SB member Viola Okko, of which the members of the SB passed the ordinance recognizing its importance to the welfare of women, children, and the public in general.
Section 9 of Republic Act No. 9710 or Magna Carta of Women and Section 12 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations mandate all LGUs to establish VAW Desks in every barangay to assist VAW victims, respond to gender-based violence cases brought to the barangay and address other forms of abuse committed against women.** Alpine Killa-Malwagay&Aprilyn P. Tudlong, Bontoc LGU
