The Mabalacat City government, led by Mayor Geld Aquino and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) headed by Josephine B. Tanglao, launched the “Orientation on the Safe Spaces Act and Establishing the Barangay Anti-Sexual Harassment (BASHER) Desk Officer and Program” on Tuesday, September 16, at Side Griller, Brgy. Mabiga.

Barangay chairpersons and representatives from across the city attended the orientation, which highlighted the importance of respect and safety for all residents.

Vice Mayor Marcos Castro, Jr. underscored the creation of BASHER groups in every barangay, stressing compassion, swift action, and justice in addressing sexual harassment cases. He also emphasized transparency and accountability as part of Mayor Aquino’s campaign for clean governance.

Councilors Benny Jocson, Patricia Acorda, and Marjorie Grace Sambo, chairperson of the Committee on Social Services, Family, Women, and Children, POPGAD, expressed their support. CSWDO Operations Division Chief Elsie Dela Cruz discussed related programs, while Julius Perdiz Lubo, representing the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), presented a comparison between RA 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995) and RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act of 2019).

Also present were Pampanga Board Members Cherry Manalo and Christian Halili.

The program concluded with an open forum and commitment-sharing, where participants pledged to work toward making Mabalacat a safer, fairer, and harassment-free city.

📷 Cerone Amir | CIO