BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental has provided mobile phones to barangay violence against women (VAW) desk officers in all barangays of the 4th District.
The district is composed of the cities of Bago and La Carlota and the towns of Pulupandan, Valladolid, Pontevedra, and San Enrique.
During the distribution held at Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center in Bago City on Wednesday, October 23, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson highlighted the importance of VAW desk officers in guarding the welfare of women in the community.
The governor said the mobile phones will serve as communication devices to be used in reporting cases of abuse in their respective localities with the intent of saving lives.
For his part, Bago City vice mayor Ramon Torres lauded the efforts of the VAW desk officers in helping reduce the cases of domestic abuse in recent years.
Upholding women’s rights remains a top priority of the Bago City Government, he added.
Meanwhile, Provincial Gender and Development (GAD) focal point system action officer Marie June Castro discussed the barangay focal point system while Provincial Council for Women chair, Atty. Andrea Lizares-Si, presented the guidelines for the usage of the mobile devices.
Providing communication devices to VAW desk officers is a crucial step in strengthening the response to violence against women and children.
This initiative enhances the responsiveness, coordination, and efficiency of the provincial government’s support services, ensuring that victims receive the timely and confidential assistance they need.
By empowering VAW desk officers with the necessary tools, the provincial government is fostering a safer and more supportive environment for women in the community./PN
