PSSG Lizel Ibañez of the Isabela City Police Station discussed the salient points of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. According to her, based on the records the most recent case of TIP in the City of Isabela was in 2016, where there were 26 trafficking victims coming from different places of the Philippines outside Isabela City. They were rescued through the collaborative efforts of the different government agencies including LGU Isabela City. PSSG Lizel Ibañez shared tips to avoid TIP, “walang recruitment sa bahay, walang transaction sa bahay. Ang legit na recruitment ay nagta-transact sa opisina, kaya’t huwag basta-basta maniwala kahit sa pamilya,” she said.

Renwick Estrada and Jean Mariano of the City Social Welfare and Development Office also graced the session through sharing the relevant features of the RA 9262 or the Anti-VAWC Act. Accordingly, for 2022 Isabela City recorded 12 cases of VAWC. These 12 victims were provided assistance from the City Government of Isabela such as counseling session, cash assistance and other social assistance.

Meanwhile, Ms. Mariano and PSSG Ibañez shared some success stories of VAWC victims. They shared how the victims able to free themselves from violence through the assistance of both LGU Isabela City and ICPS.

This awareness session also aims to promote awareness on the forms of violence women and girls experience, provide information on the laws protecting women and girls, and feature VAW-related programs and services offered by the City Government and ICPS.

“Hindi lang po sa kababaihan namin binibigay ang orientation o awareness, ako po bilang isang babae mas gusto ko po ibigay to sa mga kalalakihan, para po atleast alam nila kung ano ang Violence Against Women.”

~PSSG Lizel Ibañez

“Wag matakot, wag mahiya, magsumbong kung nakaka-experience kayo ng pang-aabuso.”

~Jean Mariano, RSW

You may watch the full video of this episode through IsaTV Teleradyo Channel of the BCH Local TV Network.