MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)-Champions on ending violence against women and children (VAWC) in Lanao del Sur province lauded the provincial government for establishing a residential care facility for VAWC survivors.

During the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the said facility, Community and Family Services International (CFSI) Sub Office Head Farida Mangcaan said the residential care facility is one-of-a-kind and a breakthrough in the entire Bangsamoro region.

"This is the epitome and evidence of political will, especially in local governance. Protection has been embedded finally kasi mayroong [because there is a] structure, as a symbol of the political will, for the social protection of the vulnerable and disadvantaged," she said.

Mangcaan added that CFSI is always advocating for a safe space for VAWC survivors and she sees the construction of the residential care facility as a dream come true for the advocacy.

For Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Rayhanah Ditual, the soon-to-rise facility will give a voice to the VAWC survivors. "Our office, the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, commends the province for this effort to give a voice and a shelter for these victims," she said.

Dr. Nadhira Abdulcarim of Amai Pakpak Medical Center's Women and Children Protection Unit (WCPU) underscored the need for a secured shelter for the survivors who have undergone processing, treatment, and counseling from WCPU. "Hindi pwedeng pauwiin ang battered wife sa bahay nila dahil nandun lang yung perpetrator [the battered wife cannot be sent home because the perpetrator is there]," she stated.

She also emphasized that the facility will likewise benefit the frontliners who are handling VAWC cases as they often experienced threats for helping their clients.

Women and Child Protection Desk Officer Police Lt. Melanie Guerrero also saluted the initiative. "The Women and Child Protection Desk of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office (LDSPPO) congratulate the provincial government for the endeavor and we are thankful for this care and concern for the senior citizens, the victims-survivors of gender-based violence, the CICL, and the minors," she said as she conveyed the commitment of LDSPPO to work on their mandate of protecting the public.

Meanwhile, Amin Umpar, the focal of the Child-friendly Local Government Audit of the Ministry of Interior and Local Government, hopes that municipal government units in the province would replicate the initiative stressing that local government units should also focus on programs and services promoting the welfare of the vulnerable sectors such as women, children, elders, and persons with disabilities. (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)