To intensify the advocacy to end Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) and in the observance of the 17-day campaign to end violence against women, LGU Pilar thru the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) came up with a two-day training in two separate batches on Standard Procedures of Work and Protocols in Managing and Handling VAWC and Trafficked Victims. Participants are the Barangay Officials, VAWC Desk Officers, MSWDO, MHO, PNP and MDRRMO personnel. The 1st batch of participants were set on November 16-17 while the other group were given the training on Nov. 18-19, 2021 at LGU Complex, Calongay, Pilar Sorsogon.

 

Resource Speaker Atty. Janel Arinne Balista, Attorney III, Head Legal Unit DSWD ROV discussed the salient features of Republic Act 9262 otherwise known as "Anti-violence against women and their children Act of 2004" which refers to "An Act Defining Violence Against Women and their Children, providing for protective measures for victims, prescribing penalities therefore, and for other purposes".

 

In her discussion, she elaborates the scope and applicability of RA 9262 which will identify the proper application of the provisions. She also mentioned the duties of the barangay officials and law enforcers on how they will take actions when violence occurs.

 

The training objective is to enhance the knowledge of each participant with regards to VAWC and trafficked victims. According to Ms. Annilyn Bon, MSWDO the conduct of the training is in response to the increasing rate of VAWC cases in the Municipality of Pilar when the pandemic strikes in the country. Besides, this is also to provide proper knowledge and guidelines for the VAWC Desk Officers and to the Barangay Officials. The department aims for better management of any related cases that may arise in the barangay level.