16 officials refer women to the PNP, PAO, MSWD, or DOH, if the officials and the complainants agree there is a need to do so. In region 5, both FGD participants who represent service providers and community women report that the flow of case management in their regions have complete stages guided by a standard flowchart. Barangays or CSOs are often the first entry point of women who are assisted in filing complaints through the PNP and PAO. Women are examined medically and their accounts of incidents are recorded and kept as evidence. Region 5 is active in monitoring their VAW desks and in conducting research on GBV investigations and criminal patterns in their region. Other service providers from regions 12 and CARAGA observed that if not the barangay, women file complaints through the PNP. According to CSO representatives from regions 1, 4A, 9, 10, 12, and CARAGA, most cases are settled only at the barangay level in their areas. In region 12, apart from the Barangay Health Office, GBV is reported to MSWDO or their local Muslim leaders. However, there is often no follow up to cases after they are reported and in some instances, cases are settled through the religious and cultural elders. It has been observed that even as settlement of cases, while prohibited under the law, is still often practiced on the ground. Currently Available Services for Survivors of GBV Service providers and CSO representatives offer basic services to women who seek help after experiencing GBV. This section describes commonly accessed services and institutional practices for GBV management according to different regions. The most commonly accessed and widely available service in majority of regions is counseling. Through local CSOs and LSWD offices, counseling includes mental health first aid, planning, and guidance on legal procedures. Apart from counseling, legal assistance is commonly sought by women through government service provider referrals to PAO, PNP, and in some, the IBP. Of legal procedures, women often avail of the Barangay Protection Order (BPO), especially in regions 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, and CARAGA. Government services for GBV victims include livelihood assistance in regions 1, 2, 4A, and 5. Indigenous people from regions 1, 4B, 5, 10, 8, and 11, are given financial assistance for transportation and logistical costs in filing cases. Medical expenses are provided by local governments in regions 5, 8, 9, 11, and CARAGA. Only regions 5, 8 and 10, have temporary shelter provisions for GBV affected women and children. Less common government provisions related to GVB include the referral of survivors to alternative learning systems (ALS) and child protection services. Some CSOs support women through legal processes, this is by guiding them to through the legal maze and providing assurance and community support throughout difficult stages of their cases. In region 5, there are women’s centers with rooms for breast feeding mothers, play areas for children, and private quarters for counseling. Other areas do not have the same provisions.