November 29, 2019

The kick-off program on the 18-day Campaign To End Violence against Women in Talisay City was an opportune time to discuss the salient points, factors and challenges that affect the implementation of RA 9262 widely known as the Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004.

Now on its 15th year after its passage into law, RA 9262 is a landmark legislation of the government in its pursuit to protect the Filipino family especially the women and children from any form of violence and threats

Woman-ICT advocate Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue was invited Guest Speaker to Talisay City's 2019 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women Forum

Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, a three-term city councilor and a staunch advocate of a VAW-free community directed the forum towards understanding the factors and challenges that affect the potency of implementing RA 9262.

Batapa-Sigue, this year’s invited Guest Speaker, differentiated the BPO or barangay protection order from the temporary protection order (TPO) and permanent protection order (PPO).

The audience was given a brief on the challenges to the implementation of RA 9262 also known as the Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004.

A PUBLIC CRIME

“Domestic violence is not a private crime. Therefore, anyone who has personal knowledge can file a complaint,” Batapa-Sigue declared.
In conformity, Talisay City’s Executive Assistant for Multi-Sectoral Concerns Farah Jayme remarked that the people should never keep silent about cases of domestic violence. They need to be reported.

Talisay City Executive Assistant Farah Bantug Jayme and OFW Migrant Desk Officer Salvacion Barrios with Guest Speaker Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue

Batapa-Sigue, who has had her fair share of pro bono services for abuse minors, publicly suggested that every barangay as much as possible should have a stand-by lawyer or extend free legal services for their constituents.

Barangay Dos Hermanas, Talisay City People's Hall

DUTIES of BARANGAY OFFICIALS

The audience, partly composed of barangay VAW-desk officers, was advised that it is the duty of barangay officials to confiscate deadly weapons, call local police authorities, transport victims to safer places or assist them in removing personal belongings from their place of residence. Such measures are clearly stipulated in the IRR or Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9262. Local police authorities should assist barangay officials to ensure the timely and orderly enforcement of the barangay protection order.

Talisay City PNP on a recent routine inspection in one of the 27 barangays.

“Police authorities can arrest suspected perpetrators even without a warrant,” Batapa-Sigue announced during her lecture-presentation. This is a circumstance which also qualifies a citizens’ arrest.

A woman employee under certain conditions may now avail of a 10-day leave with full pay as prescribed by the RA 9262. (Photo used for illustration only, subject is not a victim of domestic violence or any form of abuse)

10-DAY LEAVE FOR VAW VICTIMS

The participants to the forum were likewise informed that women employees who are defined as victims under RA 9262 can avail of a leave of up to ten (10) days with full pay, as specified in the protection order issued to the female employee’s favor by the barangay or the court. The 10-day leave is granted to the woman employee who under specific conditions requires medical and legal aid.

Women employees of the Office of the City Mayor in Talisay City.

The applicability of the ten-day leave shall be at the discretion of the woman employee. Should she decide not to avail of this benefit, it is never convertible to cash and shall not be cumulative.

The woman employee shall be required to present her employer a certification from her residence-barangay through the Punong Barangay or Barangay Kagawad, or from a Clerk of Court where a complaint relative to her case is pending or being heard.