MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The fight to end violence against women and children (VAWC) in the province of Lanao del Sur goes on and never ceases.
With the provincial government bannering its mission well, especially after initiating the construction of its first residential care facility, partners showed their support and dedication to push for the same intention.
Police Provincial Office Women and Child Protection Desk Officer PLt. Melanie Guerrero congratulated the province for its endeavor in extending aid to oppressed and other needy individuals.
She conveyed the happiness of the police force for the care and concern for the vulnerable sector which stirs them to be more supportive of the current administration.
“Rest assured of our commitment and support in the mandate and sworn duties. Our dream came true na magkaroon tayo ng ating [as we will have our] residential care facility,” said Guerrero.
Office of the Provincial Prosecutor Assistant Prosecutor Rayhanah Ditual also hailed the provincial government, particularly its building of the facility for gender-based violence (GBV) victims.
She underscored that this effort is truly unprecedented and adds to the achievement of the locality.
Ditual mentioned that the fight against women abuse and their children has already been existing for centuries and Lanao del Sur province is no exception to this unfortunate scenario.
She shared that when she arrived in the province as a prosecutor, she was taken aback that no VAWC or any child abuse cases have been filed in her office.
Ditual admitted that she was both happy and scared, maintaining that it would be impossible for this kind of violence to not exist in her place.
However, hearing the established Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC), and Provincial Committee on Anti-Trafficking and VAWC (PCAT-VAWC) eased her feelings.
Highlighting even more the building of a residential care facility, she was optimistic that VAWC victims and survivors would already have their own safe haven.
“I felt that the silence was very definite… Now, we have gone to the phase of recognizing that this really exists and something has to be done. Now, we have given voices to these victims. Our office commends this province for its effort to give voice and now, shelter to the victims. Kasama niyo ang opisina namin sa ganitong [Our office is with you in this kind of] activities. We highly support you,” said Ditual.
The assistant prosecutor hoped for the sustainability of all the initiatives of the provincial government.
Meanwhile, Community and Family Services International (CFSI) Marawi Head of Office Farida Mangcaan likewise delivered its support to the provincial government, especially after knowing about the construction of the residential care facility.
She stated that the rise of this public infrastructure would be a unique and remarkable milestone in the whole Bangsamoro region as this would be reflected as an exemplar and proof of political will, especially in the local governance as local officials campaign for social protection for the vulnerable, disadvantaged and other persons with special needs.
Mangcaan underlined that her organization has been part of the child protection and gender-based violence working group, and this will further hearten them to back the aim of the provincial government by encouraging more effective utilization of the residential care facility.
“We will support you in whatever capacity that we can… We need to have the structure functional and meaningful, as well as transformative para makapagbigay ng bagong pag-asa sa mga nangangailangan [so that this can give hope to the needy]. We are one with you with Ranao, which is VAWC, child-friendly, and a model province for the entire BARMM,” she said. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
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