Mabalacat City joins nationwide 18-day campaign to end VAW

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Mabalacat City joins nationwide 18-day campaign to end VAW

“Bawal ang bastos. Bawal yan sa Safe Spaces Act. Bawal yan sa Mabalacat City! Dapat ligtas ang lahat ano mang oras at lugar.”

**SA MABALACAT CITY, MAY #SAFESPACES TAYO!** Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo and Vice Mayor Gerald Aquino lead the city government’s kick-off ceremonies of the nationwide 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women on November 25, 2021, at the City Hall Grounds. Garbo and Aquino vowed to uphold a safe and liveable city for all Mabalaqueños as plenary discussions are on the pipeline to cascade the provisions and policies of Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act in the city through an ordinance. Joining Mayor Garbo and Vice Mayor Aquino in leading the campaign launch are Councilors Win-Win Garbo, Noel Castro, Dr. Cocoy Tiglao, Jun Castro, Jerry Magsino and Carlo Dizon. (Mabalacat CIO)

Thus, stressed Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo during a solidarity program held November 25, 2021, at the City Hall grounds, as the city kicks off its nationwide 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women themed, “Filipino Marespeto: Safe Spaces, Kasali Tayo.”

Spearheaded by the Mabalacat City Population, Gender and Development Office (POPGAD), the program aims to propel the national government’s goal of protecting the human rights of women and girls by upholding its commitment to address all forms of gender-based violence as enshrined in Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act (SSA).

In his keynote speech, the city mayor stressed the importance of respect for every member of society regardless of gender. He furthered that the city government has always championed the importance of inclusivity with high reverence to human rights, citing his administration’s pillars to advance advocacies against gender-based discrimination.

“Nakatuon tayo para gawing ligtas ang lahat ng miyembro ng ating komunidad mula sa mga kalsada at pampublikong lugar, sa trabaho, sa paaralan, hanggang sa cyberspace. Hindi lang babae at lalake kundi pati narin ang ating mga kapatid sa LGBTQIA+ community,” the city mayor added.

In affirmation, Vice Mayor Gerald Aquino along with the Sangguniang Panlungsod is currently in a plenary discussion to establish structures and policies for the Safe Spaces Ordinance in Mabalacat City.

“Hangarin po natin na matapos na po itong iba’t-ibang uri ng pang-aabuso, verbal, psychological o physical abuse sa mga kababaihan at kabataan. Kasalukuyan po naming pinaguusapan at binabalangkas ay Safe Spaces Ordinance. Ang ordinansa na ito ay pagbibigay ng proteksyon laban sa iba’t-ibang uri ng gender-based harassment sa lahat ng pampubliko lugar, mga institusyon, sa online space, lalo na sa workplaces dito sa ating siyudad,” the city vice mayor said.

Meanwhile, the Mabalacat City Council on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (MCCAT-VAWC) staged a massive information and awareness drive through a motorcade prior to the launching program. The city government is also set to host an Orientation on Safe Spaces Act of 2019 for all its local government employees on December 9.

Mayor Garbo, Vice Mayor Aquino, along with Councilors Win-Win Garbo, Noel Castro, Dr. Cocoy Tiglao, Jun Castro, Jerry Magsino, and Carlo Dizon signed the pledge of commitment wall as a manifestation of the local government’s solidarity in preventing all forms of gender-based harassment in Mabalacat City.