TUBOD, Lanao del Norte – Provincial Gender And Development Committee (PGAD) in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development office (DSWD) region 10, the women and children complaint desk Lanao del Norte police provincial office, LGU social workers, NGOs, barangay leaders and other line agencies in the province intensify its commitment to provide immense advocacy and awareness on laws that support against the violence and abuses of women and children in the society.  

The forum was conducted to ensure if these laws were advocated effectively by the respective involved agencies, verify mandated functions if it have been carried out in the formation of systems in the prevention and interventions if scenario may arise, evaluate programs and projects for rehabilitation if it have been effective in responding to the situation and the efficiency of reintegrating the victims in the community.

“The creation of Republic Act (RA) 7610, known as the “Anti-Child Abuse Law”, RA 9344 known as “The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, RA 9208 “The Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act of 2003 and RA 9262 well known as “The Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004” encouraged everybody to get involved if we happen to encounter women and children who have been victim of violence and being maltreated in their homes and some in the place they lived in to report and refer the case to the nearest police station or DSWD office for legal assistance of the victim”, said Annabelle Mendez, acting provincial social welfare and development officer.

It was being suggested in the forum that there is a need for the province of Lanao del Norte to have its own crisis center to assist the victim while the case is on the process. The center may also a suggestive place for the victims for security and protection.

Essential topics which were being discussed in the forum are the salient features of RA 9262 by Ms. Evelyn Madrio, Social Welfare Officer III, DSWD 10, salient features of RA 9208 and RA 9344 both delivered by Police Inspector Cheryl Balderama.

The provincial government together with the other stakeholders aims at disseminating the significance of the RAs to all the barangays in the province.  Scheduling of advocacy was made between the barangay leaders present during the forum and the PGAD. ARMS/PIO-LDN