Professional Documents
Culture Documents
HIGHLIGHTS OF RESEARCH FINDINGS
Private and Public Faces of Violence against Women: Addressing Domestic Violence and Trafficking in the Urban
Poor Communities and “Entertainment Centers” of Angeles and Olongapo City
Implemented by WeDpro, Inc. in collaboration with NAGKA
A project funded by the European Union
Validation Workshop
Angeles City, 21 April 2010
Objective of the Research: To establish a credible baseline data in selected project sites that shows the magnitude
both of actual cases and vulnerabilities of women and youth to various forms of violence including trafficking that
can be used for policy and legislative reforms.
A total of 40 persons were interviewed as Key Informants (KIs) for the research, including six (6) trafficking and five
(5) VAWC victims‐survivors. Three (3) FGDs were conducted. Secondary data collection was also undertaken.
Enabling Factors in the effective implementation of RA 9262/9208
There are six enabling factors cited by the KIs in the effective implementation of RA 9262 and 9208. They are:
1) a policy mandate through the passage of a GAD ordinance;
2) LGU/Government support in terms of human and material resources;
3) NGOs and GOS programs to address VAW which can be categorized into: quick response/immediate action,
rehabilitation and reintegration for VAW survivors and proactive/preventive programs;
4) inter‐agency cooperation;
5) link‐up with NGOs; and,
6) information dissemination.
9 NGOs’ programs for the survivors are both quick response and long‐term; they don’t have programs for the
immediate family of the survivors and the perpetrators.
9 GOs’ programs are also quick response and long‐term; they have programs for the survivors, for the
immediate family of the survivors and the community. They don’t also have a program for the perpetrators.
Constraints to the effective implementation of RA9262/9208 ‐‐ can be classified into three categories: a) structural
b) political and c) socio‐cultural constraints.
1) Structural Constraints are more on systems and mechanisms that hinder or delay implementation of the
laws. The KIs have cited two structural constraints; the first is the problem with support mechanisms in
terms of material and human resources. Lack of material resources include lack of budget, lack of facilities
(like shelters), has not set up the anti‐VAWC desks, problem of data banking (documentation and filing) and
problem with turn‐over of documents from previous administration to the new administration. The second
problem is the problem involving human resources which include lack of staff, lack of trained staff, lack of
licensed social workers in the barangays, people assigned to promote GAD programs and initiatives lack the
background or the passion to do the work, and the tanod assigned to VAWC is suspected to violate the law.
A very urgent problem that needs to be addressed is the lack of fiscals in the Family Courts. Another
constraint cited is the lack of regular and sustained training program for people handling VAW. Another
problem related to mechanisms is how to address the complexity of syndicated crime which is also related
to the problem of corruption.
2) Political constraints – KIs have cited two constraints that are political in nature. One is politics, that is the
change of leadership in the LGUs that can greatly affect GAD efforts and initiatives like previous GAD
programs were not sustained and enhanced or trained people were replaced since the new administration is
different from the previous administration. The second problem is the lack of local women’s organizations
in the communities. These local organizations can help promote and sustain anti‐VAW programs in the local
communities.
3) Socio‐cultural constraints are more on the beliefs and attitudes. KIs have cited three groups of people who
can delay resolution of VAW cases. They are the
a. community – instead of being sympathetic and supportive to VAW survivors, they are
making the healing difficult for survivors;
b. the family of the victim‐survivors – the belief that the family name or the victim should be
protected is the reason why some incest cases are not reported or the family is not aware
on the consequences of not addressing incest in the family or the family is not aware what
VAW is all about;
c. victim‐survivors – they believe that marriage is sacred, so women should endure the
violence just to preserve the marriage or the victim is economically dependent on the
husband, so she can’t leave the abusive relationship or the woman does not have the
money to file for an annulment or the woman lost her interest in the case so she agrees to
have settlements or the woman gave in to the pressures of the perpetrator so she
withdraws the case in exchange for some payments.
Recommendations to improve implementation of R.A. 9262 & 9208 ‐‐ can be classified as (a) immediate responses
to VAW or long‐term and (b) continuing responses to VA, and intended for different stakeholders: the
victims/survivors; the immediate family members; the perpetrators; for service providers, law enforcers, LGU
representatives, barangay officials; advocates; other stakeholders.
9 Recommendations from the service providers, LGU representatives, barangay officials, and advocates are
more long‐term and sustained responses to VAW.
9 Recommendations that can be considered as immediate responses to VAW especially for survivors and
immediate family members are lacking.
9 Recommendations from the survivors are also long‐term and continuing responses to VAW. They have no
recommendations for the survivors and immediate family members that can be considered immediate
responses to VAW.
From the many recommendations, we can start with those that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable,
realistic and time –bound). Below are some of these:
1) Training –on laws, human rights, GAD planning, gender sensitivity, children’s rights
a. conduct trainers’ training (how to identify this core of trainers’ especially now that election is
coming and there will be changing of the guards)
b. conduct training to new barangay officials, police officers
c. conduct refresher courses to implementers
d. conduct capacity building for survivors
e. conduct training at the barangay level giving priority to local women’s organizations and youth
organizations
f. Train a core of advocates who will continue to address VAW despite changes in politics
2) IEC materials
a. Develop posters and primers on VAW
b. Reproduce the flow chart showing the process of addressing VAWC
3) Need immediate attention
• CSWDO in coordination with local women’s organization to identify and rescue young girls, street
walkers who are trapped in prostitution and in need of their assistance (especially those who have no
relatives or friends to assist them).
• The city government to address the need for additional fiscals in the Family Court
• To investigate the barangay tanod whom the KIs suspect is involved in human trafficking
Recommendations that can be considered in the GAD Planning
1) To hire licensed social workers in the barangays
2) To come up with a program for teenage mothers
3) To set up a counseling program for perpetrators
4) Livelihood programs for survivors especially those with pending cases.
5) Come up with a mechanism for dialogue between GOs and NGOs
6) A proactive program that addresses VAW involving the youth
How to go beyond politics to serve the vulnerable sectors of society
1) Reactivate council on VAWCT and to ensure mayor’s support by having his authorized representative in the
council
2) Continue with multi‐disciplinary case sponsoring to address efficiently VAW cases
3) Set up a desk to assist trafficked victims with their labor cases
4) A program for parents/families on how to deal with incest
5) Organizing and strengthening local women’s organizations in the barangays.
Table 1 ‐ List of Key Informants
Name of Key Informants Designation
Barangay Malabanias
1. Edison Nacu Barangay Captain
2. Igmidio Pantig Barangay Secretary
3. Crisino Pantig Executive Officer
4. Antonia Gueco Kagawad , In‐charge of Committee for Women
&Children
5. Idy Marie Pamintuan Kagawad, Formerly In‐charge of the Committee for
Women & Children
6. Santiago Gonzales Kagawad
7. Melinda Tolentino Midwife
Barangay Amsic
8. Gerom Costales Barangay Captain
9. William Castaneda Barangay Secretary
10. Nelson Mallari Executive Officer
11. Jovito Canda Kagawad
12. Juan Candelario Kagawad, in ‐ charge of VAWC desk
13. Marlyn Policarpio Tanod, in‐charge of women and children’s concerns
City – Level – Angeles City
14. Ma. Vicenta Vega Cabigting Vice‐Mayor
15. Lourdes Naguiat GAD Focal Person
16. Milissa Hilario CSWDO Social Workers
17. Edita Serrano,
18. Fritzie Joy Cunanan
19. Lilibeth Cabana
20. Edna Duaso
21. Ester Dating
22. Anelina de Guzman
23. Judge Bernadita Erum Family Court Judge – Branch 61
24. Danilo Bautista PNP City Director
25. Chief Inspector Myrna PNP Women’s Desk Officer
Latorre
26. Paulo Fuller RENEW Foundation, Executive Director
27. Marcelina Marikit BELEN Staff
28. Major Emma Obugan Salvation Army
29. Louella Villadiego CIP Program Officer
IMA Foundation
30. VAWC survivor 1
31. VAWC Survivor 2
32. VAWC Survivor 3
33. VAWC survivor 4
34. VAWC survivor 5
35. Trafficking survivor 1
36. Trafficking survivor 2
37. Trafficking survivor 3
38. Trafficking survivor 4
39. Trafficking survivor 5 ‐
40. Trafficking survivor 6
Statistics on VAWC and Trafficking Cases as of December 2009
Table 2. VAWC & Trafficking Statistics
Data Source Number of VAWC Number of Trafficking Number of BPOs Issued
Complaints Blottered Complaints Blottered
Brgy Amsic Report Year Number of Year Number of Year Number of BPOs
to DILG complaints complaints issued
2009 2nd none 2009 2 BPOs issued
quarter = 19 cases
3rd
quarter
th
4 = 34 cases
quarter
= 10 cases
Total = 63
Brgy Amsic logbook cases
2008 15 none 2008 4 BPOs issued
complaints
2007 4 complaints none none none
Data Source Year Number of Year Number of Year Number of BPOs
VAWC Trafficking Issued
Complaints Complaints
Blottered Blottered
Barangay 2007‐2008 16 cases none 2007‐ 2 BPOs were
Malabanias’ Yearly (15 were 2008 issued and
Summary of Cases settled, 1 reported to DILG
Submitted to DILG on‐going) but found 3
BPOs on file
2008‐2009 4 cases (all none 2008‐ 4 BPOs were
were 2009 issued
settled)
Angeles City Police 2004 4 cases
Office 2005 15 cases 2005 1 case
Women & Children 2006 18 cases 2006 2 cases
Protection Desk 2007 19 cases 2007 2 cases
(Accomplishment 2008 22 cases 2008 2 cases
Report 2004‐June 2009 5 cases 2009 2 cases
2009)
TOTAL = 83 cases TOTAL = 9 cases
CSWDO‐Angeles 2005 19 cases 2005 47 cases
City 2006 20 cases 2006 58 cases
Statistical Data on 2007 13 cases 2007 91 cases
VAWC & Trafficking 2008 19 cases 2008 29 cases
2009 8 cases 2009 6 cases
Total = 79 cases Total = 231 cases
Table 3. Statistics on VAWC and Trafficking Cases filed at the Family Courts of Angeles City as of
December 2009
Data VAWC VAWC VAWC VAWC VAWC VAWC Trafficking
Source Cases Cases Cases Cases Cases Cases Cases
filed in filed in filed in filed in filed in filed in
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Judge Erum 39 48 38 19
(Branch 61)
Judge Pinto 1 17 39 12 8 0 9
(Branch 60)
Judge 16 6
Quiambao
(Branch 59)
Total 1 17 39 51 56 54 34
Total Number of VAWC cases from 2004 ‐2009 = 218 cases
Total Number of Trafficking cases = 34 cases
Table 4. Status of VAWC Cases as of December 2009
Data Source Decided Pending Dismissed Withdrawn Archived
Judge Erum 1 33 36 23 32
Branch 61
Judge Pinto 1 41 24 0 11
(Branch 60)
Judge 9 4 3
Quiambao
(Branch 59)
Total 2 83 64 23 46
Table 5. Status of VAWC cases with petition for TPO/PPO as of December 2009
Data Source Pending Dismissed Withdrawn Decided
Branch 61 13 3 1 4
Branch 60
Branch 59 4 (issued with
TPOs/PPOs)
Total 13 3 1 8
Table 6. Status of Trafficking Cases as of December 2009
Data Source Decided Pending Dismissed Withdrawn Archived
Judge Erum 14 1 1 3
Branch 61
Judge Pinto 4 3 1 1
(Branch 60)
Judge 0 2 4 0 0
Quiambao
(Branch 59)
Total 0 20 8 2 4
NOTE: (A) DISMISSED – when complainants have disappeared/can no longer be located; (B) WITHDRAWN – when
complainants file an affidavit of desistance and (C) ARCHIVED – when the perpetrator disappeared/can no longer be
located.
Prepared by: Lilian L. Pimentel
Research Consultant and Head of Research Team, “The Red AVP”, April 15, 2010