CEDAW/C/PHL/Q/7-8/Add.1 Information on legal aid to support women victims of discrimination and violence, returned migrant workers, rural women, indigenous women and Muslim women living in the ARMM, in gaining access to justice 3.5 Women victims of discrimination and violence may obtain legal aid through: • The Rape Crisis Centres (RA 8505), CHR Gender Ombud and Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) for free legal assistance and psychosocial services • The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) through the Indigenous Peoples Legal Assistance Fund (IPLAF) for legal assistance to indigent and IP women • The “Assist WELL” (Welfare, Employment, Legal and Livelihood) Program of the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) provides legal services to repatriated Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Update on Ombud’s Guidelines and mechanisms to facilitate access of women to legal remedies and assist in filing of cases 3.6 CHR has adopted Gender Ombud Guidelines providing the process to access its different services, as well as the conduct of trainings for its personnel to operationalize said services. 3.7 A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was made and entered into by judicial agencies, strengthening the legal aid services and streamlining the referral of cases investigated under the Gender Ombud mechanism. B. National machinery for the advancement of women 4. Measures to ensure adequate resources for the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) 4.1 PCW is currently working on its proposal to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to strengthen the former’s structure and personnel complement. Meantime, additional staff and consultants are hired by PCW to implement critical activities. Ensuring cooperation with civil society 4.2 Existing mechanisms to ensure collaboration with civil society include: • Composition of the PCW Board of Commissioners, in which 12 of its members are representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs ). • The National Anti-Poverty Commission’s (NAPC) Women’s Sectoral Council representing women non-government organizations (NGOs) from the country’s 17 regions. • Regular consultation with CSOs and women’s groups in crafting reports and development plans, in selecting representatives to national and international bodies and in implementing select activities. 16-06662 5/33