The City Government of San Fernando through the City Social Welfare and Development Office conducted a Capability Building Workshop for the members of the Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children last Friday, March 5 at the Ariana Hotel.

In the opening ceremony, Acting City Mayor Alfredo Pablo “Alf” Ortega delivered his message to the participants of the workshop: “Committee itself is nandoon ang word na commit. If we’re to get to do something, it means we give our best. As members of this committee, we should be committed to doing what we need to do because it takes great courage for the part of the victims to share their stories.”

Meanwhile, Acting City Vice Mayor Chary Nisce said in her message that the VAWC Desk equipment has already been delivered last week to all 59 barangays in San Fernando through the GFPS Technical Working Group. She also proudly stated that San Fernando is the first LGU that trained in terms of crisis intervention.

In the first training session, Chair of the Regional Committee on Anti-Trafficking and VAWC Ms. Maribelle Uminga discussed the three laws concerning VAWC, namely: R.A. 9208 as amended by R.A. 10630 “An Act Establishing a Comprehensive Juvenile Justice and Welfare System”; R.A. 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act; and R.A. 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act. Ms. Leilani F. Bolivar, Regional Secretariat of the DSWD Field Office 1, facilitated the second training session. She talked about Gender-Based Violence and its National and Local Statistics and discussed the Joint Memorandum Circular 2010-1 that mandates the creation of regional and local committees against Gender-Based Violence.

City DILG officer Lily Ann Colisao also discussed the functionality of the committee and necessary monitoring tools. While Ms. Ma. Theresa M. Navarro, GAD Focal Person, and LCAT-VAWC Vice-Chairperson, also presented the plan for the committee. We urge all women who might be suffering from abuse to reach out to your barangay officials.

City Councilor John Orros also showed his full support in the said activity.

There are VAWC Desks in each barangay with the necessary equipment and capacitated officers who are ready to assist you.

Together, we can work towards achieving a VAWC-Free San Fernando.