o Fisherfolks are discriminated and are treated lowly. When asked about their experiences, two of the participants shared what they have experienced when they made an inquiry with regard to availing the government assistance. According to them: “…Kung imo kapitan… iya kapitan… sa time tung kay Ortez ba, nagsulod kami didto sa barangay kay magkuha mi sang barangay clearance, gihambalan niya kami… ‘Atin ba yan?’ Tapos pag hindi sa kanila (kapartido) matagal ang pag entertain.” (When we requested a barangay clearance, we received an unfair treatment from the barangay. We heard them questioning our loyalty to the current barangay administration. There were instances as well when residents were deprived of prompt services from the barangay.) On the other hand, others have experienced unfriendly manner from the DSWD staff when they made clarifications with regard to SAP. According to them “…Giubanan nako sya (igsuon ko) sa DSWD, kay nag adto mi didto…Nakatilaw pa mi ug kasaba didto Sir uy, kay ang ingon sa amua didto. ‘ay dili gid ka pwede makadawat Ma’am!’ Gihilak pud ko didto Sir ba sa sulod sa DSWD. Unta daw, wala na lang mi nagsumbong… Wala mi nagsumbong, nangayo mi ug tabang kung kinsa among pwede duulan…” (I accompanied may sister in DSWD Office and we received a reprimand. They told us that we cannot avail the said assistance. I was in tears inside the office. Our intention was only to seek help from them.) 5. TRAFFICKING AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE ● Bago pa man ang pandemya, may naririnig na ba kayong karahasan laban sa kababaihan sa inyong komunidad? Ano ang mga porma nito? Hal: (a) may pambubugbog ba ng asawa?; (b) may nagaganap ba na trafficking o prostitusyon ng mga bata o babae? (sex kapalit ng pera o bagay o iba pang benepisyo); (c) panggagahasa o ibang pang aabusong seksual?; (d) online sexual violence/cybersex dens; (e ) pang-aalila – pagtrabaho na walang bayad. Pambayad utang atbp. o Prior to the pandemic, there are already cases of cyberbullying, child prostitution and trafficking. Out-of-school youth as young as 14 years old are forced into fishing. o There are also cases of domestic violence in the locality. ● Ano sa tingin nyo ang ugat ng karahasan? Ba’t sya nangyayari? o Poverty o Lack of support from the government o Lack of proper implementation of the laws by the barangay leaders ● Paano tinutugunan ng komunidad at pamahalaan ang iba’t ibang porma ng karahasan? o No action from the barangay if there are no complainants even they are already aware of the situation. o Impartiality by some barangay leaders in dealing with cases raised before the barangay for mediation. ● May mga anyo ng karahasan ba na nangyari sa panahon ng lockdown? Ano ang mga ito? o Children are traumatized and are afraid to see policemen. 7 | Situation of Women Fisherfolks and Women and Girls at Risk of Trafficking and other Forms of GBV during COVD-19 Pandemic and the New Normal