Opol, Misamis Oriental Focus Group Discussio on Gender Based Violence Referral Mechanism October 28, 2020 Ms. Kristine Firmalino of the CSWDO then further explained response mechanism of the Local Government of El Salvador in GBV and VAWC cases. There are functioning VAW Desks in all the 15 Barangays in El Salvador where the Barangay VAW Desk Officers are mandated to submit quarterly reports to the City Social Welfare and Development Office and based on the data collected from these reports they can confirm that there are high cases of domestic violence against women from the coastal barangays particularly physical, emotional and economic forms of abuse. The CSWDO is always on the look-out on how to better improve the Barangay VAW desks by the continuing support on information and education to the designated officers. They strictly follow the VAWC flow chart from the Barangay level until it reaches their office with the guidance of the Department of Interior and Local Governance. There are allocated budget to respond to the needs of the victim-survivors specifically on legal fees and psychological evaluation fees but are mostly limited so there are instances where victim-survivors or their families will give counterparts on the fees depending on their financial capabilities. The CSWDO handles not only the needs of the victims but also does counselling for the perpetrators. Though they admit that there are still much to be done in terms of infrastructure and facilities for victims of GBVs they still consider their VAW desks ideal. ▪ Women Fisherfolks in the time of COVID -19 The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the fishing industry in the city due to several factors. The restriction of movements as part of the strict health protocols mandated by the national government prevented the small scale fisherfolks from going out on the ocean for several months affecting so much of their livelihood. When they were declared as part of the essential workers and were already given permission to fish the post- harvest market became another issue as many of their regular customers Page 9 of 13