Siquijor leaders commit to end violence against women


Gaps in the implementation of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (RA 9262) in Siquijor province are set to be addressed soon. The Provincial Government committed to facilitate a dialogue among anti-violence against women (VAW) service providers to simplify and harmonize guidelines on effectively and efficiently acting upon cases during the September 27 Magna Carta of Women Information Caravan in Larena, Siquijor.

An agreement was reached to convene the Philippine National Police (PNP) VAW Desk Officers, health officers, social welfare officers and prosecutors and discuss how to better respond to recurring problems such as fee collection for medical/medico-legal certificates of VAW survivors. Police Superintendent Milagros Y. Soliano cited that the PNP-Siquijor Police Provincial Office often has difficulty securing medico-legal certificates for VAW survivors because of the required fees. “In some cases, the Women and Child Protection Unit has to shoulder the fees for the certificates so we can promptly respond to the case,” Soliano said.

Provincial Health Officer Redempta A. Cortes said the Integrated Provincial Health Officer of Siquijor said that they are willing to waive the fees for medical certificates of VAW survivors if official guidelines are present.

Meanwhile, Siquijor Governor Orlando “Shane” A. Fua stressed that the adage “Behind a man’s success is a woman” is true as evidenced by stories of the Vikings where women’s way of nurturing helped the men and children become strong. He also said women and men can both “contribute in our never ending quest for improvement and nation building.”

PCW Technical Officer Anette E. Baleda and DAR Centrral Office Director James Arsenio O. Ponce discussed the Magna Carta of Women (R.A 9710) and several anti-VAW laws.

The Magna Carta of Women Information Caravan in Siquijor is sponsored by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the Provincial Government of Siquijor with funding assistance from the Office of Senator Pia S. Cayetano. Provincial, municipal and local government officials from all six municipalities in the province attended the event.