The Inter-agency Monitoring Team (IMT) convened earlier today to assess the functionality of the Violence Against Women (VAW) desks from all barangays in Iligan City. The IMT is comprised of the local DILG, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), PNP, and the City Health Office (CHO).
In her message, OIC City Director Maria Maida Daniot encouraged the IMT to be constructive to the barangays and capacitate them further for their VAW desks to become more responsive to the needs of women as a vulnerable sector. LGOO IV Vel Brylle Inot also facilitated the assessment for the IMT to determine the functionality of each barangay VAW desk.
As a recommendation from the assessment results, IMT Vice Chairperson Armien Alorro said that the team will be conducting unannounced visits to the barangays to validate the authenticity and performance of the VAW desks.
Under Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta for Women, all barangays should establish a VAW desk to address women victims of gender-based violence in their communities. This was enacted into law last August 14, 2009.
