situations/events/questions given. It was 11:40 when they started the
reporting. The first group was represented by Ma’am Sharon Ylagan,
Municipal Social Welfare Development Officer of Socorro. She started with
the current policy used in the municipality of Socorro with regards to
gender equality and they have their VAW referral mechanism. Common
forms of gender-based violence received by their office includes rape, acts
of lasciviousness, sexual harassment, incestuous rape and on VAWC
includes physical and economic abuse, urban poor women, teenage
mothers and economic insufficiency vices. With the flow of case
management, entry point is always at the barangay wherein they give
counselling, legal assistance, financial assistance and referral. Referral in
some cases happens when the situation caused trauma, according to the
reporter. They made monthly report also (barangay level) regarding the
cases filed. They make used of campaign materials for their information
dissemination like flyers, tarpaulin, and posters. They were also actively
participating in celebrations like women’s month. Most problems they
encounter according to the speaker are the lack of interest of the
complainant to report and file the case. Their recommendation is to have a
comprehensive and integrated GBV re-orientation with the barangays,
SOGIE orientation and to have an organized registered LGBTQIA++
community.
On the other hand, the second group (mostly barangay personnel) was
represented by Ma’am Michelle Fajarillo (Child Development Worker).
With GAD budgeting, 5% was allotted to women. Teenage pregnancy and
discrimination are the most common GBV problems they encountered.
Their entry point is the barangay (VAWC Desk and MSWDO) also. Their
recommendation is more on orientation, information dissemination and
trainings on SOGIE.