By Jennifer P. Rendon
It seems that Iloilo province is off to a guard start as far as VAWC (violence against women and children) is concerned.
This is after the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) recorded drastic reduction in the number of VAWC cases in January 2021.
IPPO statistics showed that it only had 17 recorded VAWC cases, a far cry from the 82 cases for the same month in 2020, or an 80.73% decrease.
Again, Oton town posted the highest number of VAWC cases with four, followed by Lambunao and Santa Barbara police stations with two cases each.
The towns of Barotac Viejo, Cabatuan, Dueñas, Estancia, Janiuay, Mina, Pavia, San Dionisio, and Tigbauan recorded a single case each.
Oton, a first-class municipality just 11 kilometers west from Iloilo City, accounted for most number of VAWC cases in 2020.
Of the 718 cases all over the province last year, Oton logged 118 cases, or around 16.4%.
Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police director, credited the decrease in the number of VAWC cases to the PNP’s aggressive information drive, in support to the “Babaye Bangon” Project.
“We are hoping that the decline in number of VAWC cases continues, until any form of abuse and exploitation victimizing women and children is eliminated in our community,” Gorero said.
“Babaye Bangon” Project has been dubbed as IPPO’s best practice that addresses the various issues and concerns affecting women.
The project was launched in 2015 in line with the adoption of the IPPO of the Performance Governance System through the implementation of the PNP P.A.T.R.O.L. Plan 2030 (Peace and order Agenda for Transformation and upholding of the Rule-Of-Law).
Aside from the advocacy awareness campaign, the project also collaborates with the local government units (LGUs) for the establishment of livelihood projects for women who were victims of abuse, including women in difficult situation.
Gorero said the project bolsters the focus of IPPO on the protection and empowerment of women, especially those who have been in difficult situation – the abused, neglected, or exploited.
Gorero said it has provided an avenue for women for healing, regaining their self-worth, and making them more productive.
To date, the “Babaye Bangon” Project has facilitated the conduct of various livelihood training, like candle making, soap making, rug making, food processing and baking, with the end view of empowering Ilonggo women and making them more productive members of the community.
Relative to its advocacy awareness campaign, the Babaye Bangon Crusade, a motorcade being participated in by female motorcycle-riders, is also regularly conducted in the different parts of Iloilo province.
