Documentation Report
The Focus Group Discussion was attended by Mayor Joel M. Ventura, Municipal
Mayor of Sibuco, an ABC officer, Ms. Fatima Ayesha Yahiya and Ms. Layda A.
Amilasan from MSWDO and two members of the Local Council of Women. The FGD
was facilitated by Mr. Daniel S. Paculanang and Mr. Ron Ventus, from CHR 9.
Although the PNP failed to attend said FGD as they are still handling a case during
such time, after the FGD the CHR 9 conducted a KII to the PNP-WCPD instead
including the GAD Focal/Executive Secretary of the Mayor who was also not in
attendance during such time. Hon. Mayor Ventura expressed his gratitude to CHR 9
for extending their services to them. He ensures that VAW-C desk are open and
functional even during this time of Pandemic but expressed his concerns as to the
knowledge of his constituents on their rights and laws especially on GBV,
considering that they lack program in the information and dissemination on GBV.
Their programs as of the moment are geared towards prevention of the spread of
COVID 19 and the infrastructure development of their road networks. In fact, the
recorded cases of COVID 19 mostly are Locally Stranded Individuals.
Mr. Ron Ventus explained the rationale and objectives of the activity. The FGD on
Legal Referral mechanism on GBV is a program conducted by CHR every year and
that they would identify one LGU per year to conduct said activity. The activity aims
to assess the GBV referral mechanism in place by a certain LGU and the findings of
the CHR would not prejudice the LGU itself but rather the CHR 9 will work with the
LGU to improve its referral mechanism on GBV towards a victim-survivor centered
services. Mr. Daniel Paculanang expressed gratitude for welcoming the CHR 9 and
supporting its program. He further added that All LGU faced problems on GBV and
each LGU has different issues and challenges faced in dealing with GBV. CHR 9
identified the Municipality of Sibuco as it is known that most of the population or if
not, all are members to an IP community. As such, CHR 9 would like to look into
GBV in the IP community.
Gender Equality Situationer in the Municipality of Sibuco
All respondents signify that their records are disaggregated with basic demographics
such as sex, age, address, and religion. As of the moment the Municipality of Sibuco
has no ordinances in relation to GBV or GAD but Mayor Ventura expressed that he
will try to work on it with the Local Council. Again, all respondents state that they
were able to utilize their GAD Budget. The Mayor even stateed that his office was
able to attribute 20% of their budget to GAD as one of his main program in this trying
times is livelihood program to women, where his office grants financial
support/assistance to Women Organization for their livelihood program. Even with
the realignment of their budget to address the COVID 19 Pandemic and cater the
LSI and ROF the Municipality, he was still able to continue its program on its
barangay health services and other social services including the livelihood program
as it is identified as a Sustainable program where the beneficiaries are empowered
to support themselves in the long term.
Gender-based violence (GBV) in the Municipality of Sibuco (in re to GBV)