Oton tops VAWC cases; Iloilo police launch program to empower women

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) recorded 173 VAWC (violence against women and children) cases all over the province from Jan 1 to Sept 30, 2020.

Oton, a first-class municipality 11 kilometres west of Iloilo City, accounted for 45 VAWC cases, or 26 percent of the total incidents.

Pavia town has 13 cases. Cases in 40 other towns and one component city of Iloilo are in single digits.

Janiuay is in the third spot with nine cases and Passi City and Barotac Viejo have seven cases each.

To lessen the number of VAWC cases, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) launched an initiative to empower women.

“Babaye Bangon” was formally launched on Oct 1, 2020 with an objective to empower Ilonggo women, particularly VAWC victims.

Babaye Bangon Project will host a livelihood training for women in partnership with All In One (AIO) Trade Marketing.

With this endeavor, Babaye Bangon Center in Pavia was established, which is the first in the province.

Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero, IPPO officer-in-charge, cited Pavia Mayor Lawrence Anthony Gorriceta and the Sangguniang Bayan officials for supporting this project.

“This is realized because of the support of stakeholders, especially the local government,” he said.

Gorero said the project will bolster the focus of IPPO on the protection and empowerment of women, especially those who have been in difficult situations – the abused, neglected, or exploited.

Gorero said it will provide the avenue for women for healing, regaining their self-worth, and making them more productive.

“As they say a woman is unstoppable after she realizes that she deserves better,” Gorero quipped.

The two-day meat processing seminar for Pavia participants will introduce a vast potential of livelihood enterprise.

Processed foods are among the most popular commodities amidst the pandemic.

Addressing the women participants, Gorero said, “May you consider this as an opportunity to help you rise above your current situation.”

“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated,” the IPPO chief said, citing American civil rights activist Maya Angelou.