First residential care facility in Lanao Sur to fulfill dream of abused women, children

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The prayer of gender-based violence (GBV) victims which is to be given care and attention will soon come into reality with the rise of the first-ever residential care facility in the province of Lanao del Sur. 

Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer Mariam Balindong Casim stressed that the provincial government has already been firmly working for the welfare of every individual in the province, seeing to it that even the disadvantaged sector will be provided with protection, rehabilitation and care. 

She stated that as a new residential care facility is set to be founded to implement relevant undertakings, exploited women and children would no longer suffer in secret. 

“Layunin nitong matulungan ang mga biktima ng pang-aabuso na maisaayos at manumbalik sa kanilang dating sigla sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibang programa at serbisyong gagawin nitong facility katulad ng [The aim of this is to help the victims of abuse to fix and restore their usual enthusiasm with different programs and services to be led by this facility like the] social, homelife, educational, health and nutrition, recreational and other cultural services, and spiritual enrichment,” said Casim, further emphasizing that the construction of the infrastructure follows the human rights standards.

The social welfare officer bared that the prevalence rate of violence against women and children (VAWC) in the Bangsamoro region is one of the lowest across all regions in the Philippines.

However, Casim attested that there have been cases shared during their Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) and Provincial Committee on Anti-Trafficking (PCAT) and VAWC meetings that indeed, such cases occur in the province. 

While a lot of factors are considered why this low reporting is reflected, such as but not limited to the set-out of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Development Plan from 2017 to 2022, limited financial capability to initiate legal actions, or just because the victims are ashamed to report and tarnish the reputation of their family, she strongly underlined the consequence of having no temporary shelter or facility available for the victims to address their concern or care for rehabilitation.

Casim conveyed that it is just fortunate that a response has been given with the government of the Philippines being stirred to ensure independent and thorough investigations into alleged VAWC cases so that perpetrators are held into account, and extend assistance and services to all victims. 

For her office, she assured to fulfill their duty which is to identify the needs of the disadvantaged, deliver appropriate interventions, and recommend measures to deter more abuse and exploitation. 

Summing up all the efforts rendered, Casim is positive that Lanao del Sur province will be fully pictured in the future as a place that is safe for all. 

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Lanao Sur strengthens protection for vulnerable groups

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Underscoring the drastic need to extend the sense of security up to the disadvantaged ones, the provincial government of Lanao del Sur took another measure to intensify the protection for the vulnerable sector, particularly the victims and survivors of violence against women and children (VAWC), persons with disabilities (PWDs), and senior citizens. 

As part of this pursuit, the provincial government initiated the building of its first-ever residential care facility that would house those suffering from gender-based violence (GBV), and a social welfare center for the needy PWDs and elderlies.

Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid Raki-in Adiong detailed that the foundation of the residential care facility is deemed to be relevant considering that they receive reports from their local councils posing that several women and children in the province are abused.

He added that although certain data is divulged, he still believes that more cases remain to be unreported, thus, maintaining that a haven for the sufferers is much more necessary.

“Mas maganda na dito sila para at least, mapangalagaan nang maayos at hindi mapabayaan,” said Adiong.

[It is better if they are here so that at least, they will be taken care of and not be disregarded.] 

He further expounded that PWDs and senior citizens are also not left behind as the provincial government is constructing a social welfare center.

Adiong stated that their administration builds this infrastructure that is vital in addressing the needs and concerns of PWDs and the elderly, as he recalled that only the municipality of Wao has this kind of building.

Looking forward to the fulfillment of their goals for the vulnerable sector, the vice governor expressed his gratitude to the local councils which fed the provincial government with available data on GBV, PWD and senior citizen issues.

He stressed that if it had not been for the information, the initiative to ramp up social protection through constructing the said public facilities would not be realized.

“Siguro, kung wala tayong data, wala tayong project para sa GBV [victims], senior citizens at PWDs. Siguro, hindi magkakaroon ng ideya ang provincial government kung hindi dahil sa support at data na galing sa inyo,” said Adiong.

[Maybe, if there were no data, we would not have a project for GBV [victims], senior citizens and PWDs. Maybe, the provincial government would not have the idea if it were not for the support and data from you.] (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)

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Partners vow to help end violence against women, children in Lanao Sur

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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Lanao Sur prov'l gov't breaks ground for P11-M Social Welfare Center

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--To further strengthen interventions for vulnerable individuals here in the province, the Provincial Government broke ground Thursday, Dec. 15, for the construction of a Social Welfare Center.

The building, once completed, will cater to the pressing needs and concerns of senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Provincial Engineer Dimasira Macabando Jr. said the 500-square-meter structure would be erected in Barangay Sagonsongan in Marawi City with a total cost of P11 million under the Senior Citizen Fund.

"This will be very beneficial to our community. I hope that this project will be replicated by the municipalities in the province para tulong-tulong sa pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan," he said.

The Provincial Engineers Office will implement the construction while the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office will manage the facility when completed.

Aside from the Social Welfare Center, the provincial government is also set to build a Residential Care Facility for abused women and children near the Center. The ground ceremony for both projects was led by Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid Rakiin Adiong. (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)

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Lanao del Sur local gov't earns praises from ending VAWC champions

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)-Champions on ending violence against women and children (VAWC) in Lanao del Sur province lauded the provincial government for establishing a residential care facility for VAWC survivors.

During the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the said facility, Community and Family Services International (CFSI) Sub Office Head Farida Mangcaan said the residential care facility is one-of-a-kind and a breakthrough in the entire Bangsamoro region.

"This is the epitome and evidence of political will, especially in local governance. Protection has been embedded finally kasi mayroong [because there is a] structure, as a symbol of the political will, for the social protection of the vulnerable and disadvantaged," she said.

Mangcaan added that CFSI is always advocating for a safe space for VAWC survivors and she sees the construction of the residential care facility as a dream come true for the advocacy.

For Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Rayhanah Ditual, the soon-to-rise facility will give a voice to the VAWC survivors. "Our office, the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, commends the province for this effort to give a voice and a shelter for these victims," she said.

Dr. Nadhira Abdulcarim of Amai Pakpak Medical Center's Women and Children Protection Unit (WCPU) underscored the need for a secured shelter for the survivors who have undergone processing, treatment, and counseling from WCPU. "Hindi pwedeng pauwiin ang battered wife sa bahay nila dahil nandun lang yung perpetrator [the battered wife cannot be sent home because the perpetrator is there]," she stated.

She also emphasized that the facility will likewise benefit the frontliners who are handling VAWC cases as they often experienced threats for helping their clients.

Women and Child Protection Desk Officer Police Lt. Melanie Guerrero also saluted the initiative. "The Women and Child Protection Desk of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office (LDSPPO) congratulate the provincial government for the endeavor and we are thankful for this care and concern for the senior citizens, the victims-survivors of gender-based violence, the CICL, and the minors," she said as she conveyed the commitment of LDSPPO to work on their mandate of protecting the public.

Meanwhile, Amin Umpar, the focal of the Child-friendly Local Government Audit of the Ministry of Interior and Local Government, hopes that municipal government units in the province would replicate the initiative stressing that local government units should also focus on programs and services promoting the welfare of the vulnerable sectors such as women, children, elders, and persons with disabilities. (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)

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