Last April 4, 2018, DMPI-ECCC’s officers and staff gathered in the COOP Board Room for an orientation regarding Republic Act 9262 which is the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 or commonly known as VAWC. The orientation speaker was Ms. Alice Almonte, the VAWC Focal Person for Barangay Bugo. She tackled the specifics of the said law and how this could help and protect battered women and children and fight for the justice that they deserve.

“It is hereby declared that the State values the dignity of women and children and guarantees full respect for human rights. The State also recognizes the need to protect the family and its members particularly women and children, from violence and threats to their personal safety and security. Towards this end, the State shall exert efforts to address violence committed against women and children in keeping with the fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution and the Provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination Against Women, Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international human rights instruments of which the Philippines is a party.” (Section 2 of RA 9262)

This law governs all cases involving the harassment of women and children, namely, sexual violence, psychological violence or economic abuse. This law also sets the guidelines and parameters that could be given as penalty to the offender, whether married or not for the women; whether legitimate or not for the children. This orientation was very successful as the members were keen and attentive to the topic given that further questions and discussions were exchanged with the members and Ms. Alice, showing the concern and the will to help our community be a safer place for women and children.

The event was also attended by the Barangay Bugo OIC Captain, Hon. Toto Capirig. He also made a short speech and thanked the DMPI-ECCC for the close ties with the Barangay Council.

The orientation was hosted by Mr. Domingo H. Ramos, one of our BOD members. A certificate of appreciation was given to speaker that serves as a memento for the shared knowledge.