TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan - - The members of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict - Situational Awareness and Management (RTF-ELCAC-SAKM) Cluster of Region 2 proposed the conduct of an in-depth study on the root causes of rape cases in Cagayan Valley region. 

The body unanimously agreed with the proposal following the alarming increasing trend of rape cases in the region as reflected in the report of the Philippine National Police and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. 

Melisen Taquiqui of DSWD Region 2 reported that there were 292 cases of rape or sexual assaults recorded in 2021, including 290 cases of child abuse, 126 cases of acts of lasciviousness, 337 violence against women, seven sexual harassment cases and violation of the safe spaces act, nine on photo and video voyeurism, and one child pornography case. 

She said they have catered to four victims and survivors of rape cases last year, with provision of financial and medical assistance. 

"Aside from the financial and medical assistance, we also offer transportation needs, burial assistance, educational assistance, psychological support, and other cash needs of rape victims," Taquiqui said. 

Plormelinda P. Olet, Regional Director of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and chairperson of the SAKM cluster, said that it was observed that the incidence rate of rape cases is becoming significant among the crimes recorded in the region. 

She said that though the social welfare department and the police unit have some interventions for the security and welfare of victims, proactive programs should be implemented to prevent any abusive intentions of perpetrators toward the would-be victims. 

"Aside from the interventions of the DSWD to the victims and survivors, the PNP has also initiated the "Kuwarto ni Neneng" program which provides a separate room for every girl child in a household to avoid any temptation because some of the cases are incestuous. But, these are not enough; there should be more interventions to address this concern," Olet said. 

On his part, Oliver T. Baccay, Assistant Regional Director of the Philippine Information Agency, recommended that the Commission on Higher Education and the State Universities and Colleges should initiate research on the prevalence of rape cases in the region to determine the causes and to establish recommendations on how to address the problem. 

He added that though there have been several articles written relating to rape cases, it would be better if there will be a well-researched document that presents why rape cases are more prevalent in the region compared to other areas.

Baccay further said that the potential paper could also be a basis in crafting policies and the implementation of programs that will help eliminate rape cases and other gender-related violence in the region. (JKC/OTB/PIA Region 2)