Experiences with GAD mainstreaming and budgeting • • • MSWD conducts planning and budgeting for GAD programs. GAD plans and programs are then implemented after it is approved by the DILG. (MSWD) The budget for GAD programs are subsidized by the budget for health at the barangay level (5%). The Municipal Health Office’s budget for GAD programs are provided by the MPDC. (MHO) The PNP office also submits GAD plan and budget to MPDC. The FJDG officer takes care of the submission of the plans and budget requests. (PNP) Gender-based violence in the city/municipality Themes Responses Common forms of • Women filing for child support (PNP) GBV • Physical abuse and child custody (MSWD) • VAWC – specifically involved during the provision of health services (MHO) Affected Groups • IP women • Women from low-income family Difficult Cases • There are clients who are sometimes “toxic”. These are clients who are difficult to handle. Even if you have already provided them with the necessary counseling and other support they will still insist on what they want even if the policy will not allow it. This normally happens on cases related to child support or child custody. (PNP/MSWD) • There was once a rape case filed in the PNP where the father was accused of raping his daughter. The mother insisted to settle the case because according to her, the alleged accused and the victim have a romantic relationship. This case is still being litigated. (PNP) • MHO articulated that they have not experienced any difficult cases related to VAWC or GBV. (MHO) Challenges Reporting and • Private health services/doctors refuse to provide services to investigation VAWC related incidents especially if they are aware that medical results will be used in the legal process (MSWD/MHO/MPDC/PNP) • There is currently only one MHO/doctor in the municipality of Sta. Cruz. The PNP are often forced to refer VAWC victims to nearby municipalities (Malalag/Malita) for health examination (PNP/MSWD) Providing support • The MSWD are sometimes challenged with clients who keep services on violating the agreements that they have settled for. These cases are referred to the barangay but will eventually be 9