protection gaps faced by LGBTQI in the Philippines. Violence and discrimination persist amidst the pandemic and even with the passage of the Safe Spaces Law. Protection gaps are exacerbated - stressing the need to continue pushing for effective, prompt and survivor centered responses for measures that prohibit all forms of discriminaiton on the basis of SOGIESC. These also highlight the important role played by an expanded referral mechanism, not limited to government agencies but also CSOs/NGOs who are able to effectively respond and ensure continuum of care for survivors. In the end however, the duty falls with the State to ensure protection from all forms of violence, including access to justice when violence happens. IV. Positive Responses from the Government As the COVID-19 crisis continues, both the Government and Civil Society organizations adopted means to ensure access to services and support by women, girls and marginalized sectors. Quick to respond, CSO’s like Lunas Collective has established its online counselling for GBV survivors in 2020, thesame too with CATW-AP, who through support by the UNFPA - developed the Her Voice Ap. The Commission also developed online and remote reporting mechanisms early - through the GBV reporting portal, the Community Based Peer Monitoring with women with disabilities, and the E-lawyering project. In 2020, more initiatives were developed, especially on the part of the government. This section documents the different platform developed by government to respond to the challenges brought about by quarantine and lockdown measures. Last 5 May 2021, the Department of Social Welfare and Development launched the Wi Support App and web page, the platform provides online mental, psychosocial support program.59 The Philippine National Police, on the other hand adopted hotlines in order to provide a platform to complaint against members of the PNP through the E- sumbong platform of the PNP.60 Through the consultations conducted by the Commission on the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act, the Commission noted the adoption by the PNP Cybercrime unit of its own online reporting portal in cases of cybercrimes. The e-complaint desk61 may be accessed through the PNP Cybercrime Group.62 Other noteworthy good practices on the part of the government during this period is the strengthening of shelters as in the case of Quezon City, the execution of memorandum of agreement among members of the inter-agency mechanisms to address VAW. For instance, in March of this year, the Commission’s Regional IV-A office executed a memorandum of agreement with the Region IV-A Haven for women. In the said MOU, the Commission’s regional office committed to provide legal assistance to GBV survivors housed in Haven, to answer their legal queries, help them prepare legal documents and also monitor their cases. The MOU also includes provision of capacity building lectures for Haven and its 59 Luci-Atienza, We Listen, We Care: DSWD Launches online mental, psychosocial, support program. https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/05/we-listen-we-care-dswd-launches-online-mental-psychosocial-support-program/ (last accessed 31 August 2021) 60 See here: https://pnpts.pnp.gov.ph/index.php/10-school-anouncement/68-e-sumbong 61 See here: https://acg.pnp.gov.ph/eComplaint/ 62 https://acg.pnp.gov.ph/main/ 20