BACOLOD City – To provide an accessible and responsive reporting channel for gender-based violence and other welfare concerns, the city government has launched the SAFE (Support and Action for Families in Emergency) Hotline program.
Mayor Greg Gasataya signed Executive Order No. 044, series of 2025, on September 3, establishing the 24/7 hotline as a dedicated mechanism for reporting cases of abuse against women and children (VAW-C), children in need of special protection, and other social welfare issues.
The hotline will coordinate with the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), City Health Office (CHO), Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), and other partner agencies to ensure proper intervention and case management.
Gasataya assured that all reports will be handled with confidentiality and sensitivity.
“The hotline will facilitate referrals, monitoring, and appropriate resolution of cases,” he said.
The DSSD, in coordination with the Public Information Office (PIO), will serve as the lead implementing office. Dr. Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga, DSSD head, has been designated as program supervisor, tasked to oversee operations, recommend policies and guidelines, and submit periodic reports to the Office of the City Mayor.
The SAFE hotline will also be integrated into the city government’s G-APP online platform, allowing citizens to report cases through mobile and web applications. This integration enables faster referrals, real-time monitoring, and seamless coordination among concerned offices.
The city mayor said the program highlights Bacolod’s commitment to a “responsive, technology-driven, and citizen-centered mechanism” in addressing the protection and welfare needs of its people./PN
