Last May 17-19, 2011, Office of the City Legal Assistance Service in cooperation with the Jovito R. Salonga Center for Law and Development and the Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation (GWAVE) conducted a 3-day seminar to the different lupon members, barangay secretaries and kagawad members coming from a total of 30 local government units in Dumaguete City.
The first day gathered 32 participants from barangays Poblacion 1 to 8, and Bajumpandan. the second day, 36 participants joined from barangay Balugo, Banilad, Bantayan, Bunao, Cadawinonan, Calindagan, Camanjac, Candau-ay, Cantil-e and on May 19, another 36 participants from Daro, Junob, Looc, Mangnao, Piapi, Pulantubig, Tabuc Tubig, Taclobo, and Talay.
The participants were welcomed by the Salonga Center Director, Atty. Myrish Cadapan-Antonio. The seminar focused on the provisions of Republic Act 9262, also known as An Act Defining Violence against Women and Their Children, Providing for Protective Measures for Victims, Prescribing Penalties Therefore, and for Other Purposes. Specific topics of the symposium included the provisions on The Magna Carta of Women and the provisions that specified for the creation of the VAW Desk in every barangay as well as the establishment of the GAD budget.
Thorough discussion on the Barangay Protection Order (BPO) was also made followed by a workshop on the basic procedures and steps on filling out BPO application forms and the BPO order. Role play of different scenario were conducted as part of the workshop.
Speakers for the 3-day trainings include Atty. Shiela Lynn Catacutan-Besario, the Director of the OCLAS and the Legal Consultant of the GWAVE, Atty. Edrich Torremocha, Atty. Pristine Martinez-Raymond and Atty. Niña Rica Ruperto-Teves, Atty. Ramon Antonio Ruperto, Atty. Florence Ed Obial and Salonga Center volunteers Milmon Bryce Tenorio and Donna Bernardo.
In the end, warm response was received from the participants as they expressed gratitude for the initiation of the said seminar as their basic questions regarding these pertinent laws were clarified.
Among those who helped in organizing and making the 3–day seminar a success were Salonga volunteers, namely, Kenny Hotingoy, Jessica Moldez, Ernie Gagno, Gracelyn Bellingan, Ihra Magno, and Gail Petilos.
