issue why gender-based violence has higher cases. According to them also, the imposed lockdown resulted in slow disposition of cases. They were also given assistance from the government by providing them a livelihood such as teaching them how to earn money by making basahan and sewing, and also, they still continue their studies. They were also unaware about documenting gender based violence. Recommendations from the Community Women include:  Information dissemination/ drive - They were not informed about the existing policies that help abused women.  Quality service or faster assistance for their filed cases. During the discussion, DILG raised a concern on the availability of a fully functional VAW Desk. First, the position for a VAW Desk Officer is not a plantilla position. Thus, the person assigned may be removed depending on the barangay chairperson elected. Another issue raised is the limited response of barangay officials due to lack of manpower during the pandemic. Respondent L shared that she had an experience where she went to the barangay hall but she has no one to talk to because all of the officials are infected with COVID. When there are victims that want to report to the VAW desk, there is no one to help or assist them. She added that DILG’s extended help in such cases is to ask the LGUs in coordination with our provincial social welfare for needed assistance they can provide to the barangay, e.g. transportation. In terms of information, the agencies are not lacking because they ensure that there are materials for every barangay that is coordinated with the local DILG and social welfare offices. Respondent K also said that they had encountered a problem in consolidation of reports of cases of VAW and GAD. The reports are delayed because of connectivity issues like internet disruptions/access. Also, internet connection was not part of the barangays’ budget. She recommended to CHR to have bigger building capacity for their seminars and give assistance to victims of GAD cases. They suggest that they can tap CHR to help them in conducting seminars as their resource speakers. The expertise of CHR is needed because the GAD program of DILG is wide. Also, they hope they can be partners when there are activities from CHR and DILG. It was elaborated during the open forum that the CHR may provide lectures and be a resource person on topics about gender-based violence. CHR: Dignity of all Address: 2F Mary Grace Building Colago Avenue cor. M.L. Quezon St., Barangay I-A San Pablo City, Laguna 4000 Contact numbers: (049)562-5415/ 09156920530/ 09396384786 E-mail: chr4_sanpablo@yahoo.com Page 53 of 54