LAGAWE, IFUGAO — A highly-placed official of the provincial government here is seeking better treatment of women and children in Ifugao, as speakers of an activity in Lagawe sought stern penalties for violators of laws related to the effort of curbing violence against women and children (VAWC).
In a well-prepared situationer on women, Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer Joseline Niwane said sectoral leaders have the power to influence people’s views and attitudes as well as decision-making on a myriad of concerns.
“The PSWDO underscores the national government’s lead role in protecting our women and children from violent actions taken by misguided elements because these acts surely have no place in a civilized society like ours,” Ms. Niwane said.
Apparently, the PSWDO zeroed down on key sectors on the youth and women during the well-attended program. The distribution in terms of attendance shows how much interest there is in the herculean task of safeguarding the well-being of women and children in this part of the country. Nearly 95 percent of the participants represented them.
“We should treat our women and children with utmost love and respect,” she told the ZigZag Weekly.
Rejuvenating the future for a better and safer landscape for women and children in Ifugao, the PSWDO has been tapping into and strengthening the power of nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) in the private sector as well as those in the public sector. Verily, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK- or the youth council) officials actively participated in the whole-day program.
Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary Jose Antonio Hernandez also shared his insights on related matters. “I hope the actions taken to protect our women and children here will serve as notice that the government is around to safeguard them at all times,” he asserted.
The disregard of well-established norms of behavior would subject violators of various laws to stiff penalties. Yet, cases of physical and other forms of violence on women and children persist in Ifugao’s 11 towns.
Pertinent provisions of Republic Acts 9262 (on VAWC) and 9208 (on illegal trafficking of women and children) as well as RAs 9565 and 7877 once more caught the attention of the participants.
Notwithstanding these laws, hurtful stories were retold and heard from VAW survivors during the initial portion of the program.
Beating of women are not natural and uncalled for as these laws stipulated, and that’s obviously a fact. But at this age and point in time, that has become, sadly, a norm and if the officialdom downplays VAWC’s impact, it is now only the people who will tackle and address the issue head on with a strong and firm hand. Fortunately, there are still caring officials like Ms. Niwane and Asec Hernandez to rely on.
The call for all-out support and assistance in the campaign to stifle VAWC was also backed by the Philippine National Police (PNP). Several PNP personnel and officers were in attendance. PS Supt. Job Russel Balaquit, SPO1 Garry Gattud, Ptr. Clarence Buyuccan and Ptr. Lilian Ambognon took part in the program.
Still is, many are lamenting the fact that rampantcy of VAWC instances and cases is undeniably true. While the PNP is doing everything it can to keep the women and children safe from lawless elements, it operates with just a few personnel and limited facilities and equipment in Ifugao. Most of its men and women in uniform are underpaid, undertrained and ill-equipped. So they can only do so much, or better still say, little.
The PSWDO head also called on the participants to do everything within their capacities to help the Duterte administration succeed in containing the mounting drug abuse problem.
Also in her message, Niwane said it was so vital that organizations that truly care for the country’s women and children work together.
She urged the participants to continue supporting the government’s program to combat the proliferation of illegal drugs.
In pursuing its mission, the PSWDO is guided by core values and principles geared to uplift the conditions of the people, most especially the poor.
The quest to end VAWC is long, tedious and thorough. It doesn’t even happen overnight. It happens when Ifugao folks understand and appreciate what the campaign is all about. Ifugao holds the distinction as the province in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) with the highest number of rape cases. It will surely happen when each one is convinced that rapists deserve punishment.
“The report is just as alarming that people in and outside of the government should rethink their stand on this problem and consider giving it greater attention instead of taking it for granted,” Multipurpose Development Cooperative (LMDC) general manager Charles Balachawe said.
Balachawe was reacting to an official report mentioned in the said activity.
Balachawe, who lived for several years in Lagawe where he became noted as a young and articulate leader whose heart is for the poor, has been praised for his advocacy to reduce gender inequalities and incidence of gender-based violence.
According to PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, rape crimes in 2017 nationwide went down by 24.82 percent. Rape has been classified as an index crime. The non-index crimes are violations on ordinances and special laws.
Today, there is still little understanding of the needs and concerns of women and children, especially those in far-flung villages.
Is there a way out to solve all these problems? The views of the other speakers need to be better appreciated in the coming weeks, months or even years. They include Governor Pedro Mayam-o, provincial administrator Atty. Albert Pawingi, provincial prosecutor officer Atty. Mario Ngayawan, provincial legal officer Atty. Raymund Panhon, Director Anita Vernia Paredes and Atty. Zenaida Maria Niwane.
What further actions must incoming officials by 2019 take, in collaboration with all concerned sectors, to shield women and children from the violence inflicted by evildoers?
This query points to well-meaning initiatives to continuously take appropriate legislative, social and educational actions and measures to protect the safety and security of women and children from all forms of violence.
VAWC is simply detestable, nothing more. In ascertaining the violator’s intention, the evidence of his conduct and outward acts must be scrutinized. Assaults on women and children were usually made by “disturbed individuals,” or people who are very angry.
“We should work more in terms of educating our people in remote villages and try to get the youth more involved by focusing on schools and the Sangguniang Kabataan. The youth is the tool for us to spread the message that we have to ensure the protection of our women and children,” Grace Guihoman pointed out. She is an aspirant for councilor in Lagawe under the ruling PDP-Laban party.
Former Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) head Rebecca Bumahit served as moderator. She is also a PDP-Laban bet for councilor in Lagawe.
Board Member Anzel Dumangeng, who is also the Ifugao SK Federation president and Jaweh Dulnuan Habbiling acted as emcees. On the other hand, provincial budget officer Virginia Farro likewise backed the undertaking. She is the provincial government’s GAD focal point.
Almost every day, Ifugao folks have to deal with the VAWC problem. Interestingly, the program was conducted at the so-called “Atrium” of the provincial capitol building. Incidentally, it has no VAWC desk. Things can escalate and get worse, hence, it is vital to have one and push the message that when enough is enough complaints will be quickly attended. **By Anthony A. Araose
