BONTOC STRENGTHENS VAWC LAWS THROUGH STAKEHOLDER’S COLLABORATION

September 29, 2024 Provincial

BONTOC, Mountain Province

The Local Committee on Anti Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (LCAT-VAWC) and the Municipal Council for the Protection of Children (MCPC) convened for the 3rd Quarter Joint Meeting on September 25, 2024, at the Mayor’s Conference Hall. The meeting, led by Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., gathered local leaders, partner agencies, Department Heads and Unit Heads of the Bontoc LGU to assess the ongoing efforts to combat violence, human trafficking, and maintain peace in the community.

Key discussions centered on the reported cases of violence against women and children (VAWC) from January to September 2024. Although no human trafficking cases were filed in Bontoc during this period, nine VAWC incidents were reported. Of these, six occurred in Bontoc Ili, two in Bontoc Poblacion, and one in Barangay Caluttit. Four of these cases have been filed in court, one has been resolved, and two were handled through interventions by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

These data were reported by Social Welfare Officer III Stephanie Kanongkong of the MSWDO. Also, Kanongkong relayed that there were four cases of Women in Especially Difficult Circumstances (WEDC), three of which involved physical abuse. With this, Mayor Tudlong underscored the importance of raising awareness, strengthening community monitoring, and ensuring the active participation of barangay officials to protect vulnerable sectors. He reiterated the LGU’s commitment to supporting the victims. “The Bontoc Local Government Unit is ready to provide all the necessary help to victims. My office is very much open to those who need our help.

Our fight against violence and trafficking is ongoing, and we must remain vigilant to prevent anyone from becoming a victim,” the mayor stated as he encouraged victims of abuse to come forward and take action. The meeting also provided a platform for other related matters, such as the upcoming activities to celebrate Children’s Month, Child in Conflict with the Law (CICL) program interventions, and proposed ordinances to further strengthen VACW laws and give teeth for its implementation.

Shannon Anthea S. Pagaduan, Bontoc LGU