CATBALOGAN, Samar – The Samar provincial office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) convenes its provincial and municipal officials and employees on November 3o as the last phase of the DSWD’s mainstreaming activity on RA 9262, otherwise known as “An Act Defining Violence Against Women and Children, Providing foe the Protective Measures for the Victims, Prescribing Penalties Therefore, and other Purpose.”

This information was gathered form the letter of DSWD Regional Director Jim Rebustillo to Samar Governor Milagrosa T. Tan, dated November 8, 204.

In his letter, Rebustillo said: The Department of Social Welfare and Development, RO-8, in coordination with your office shall conduct a Mainstreaming Activity on RA 9262 known as an – “Act Defining Violence Against Women and Children, Providing for the Protective Measures for the Victims, Prescribing Penalties Therefore, and other Purpose, on November 30, 2004 to be held in Catbalogan, Samar.

Rebustillo informed that – “Thirty participants are expected (CSWDO, MSWDOs or Women Service Provi0der) coming from each municipality of Samar province and Calbayog City to attend and participate in the said activity.”

Samar Provincial DSWD Officer Luz D. Tacal said in an interview that other mainstreaming conferences had already been held in other venues and dates on the past to as many government officials and general citizenry, so that the varied provisions of RA9262 will be better understood by as many citizens AS ARE POSSBLE.

In his prefatory statement of DILG Memorandum Circulation No. 2004-118, dated September 13, 2004, issued by Secretary Angelo T. Reyes, the statement says:

“On March 8, 2004, Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law R.A. No.9262, otherwi0se known as the “Anti-Violence Against Woman and Their Children Act of 204,” which took effect on March 27, 2004. The law is anchored on the constitutional guarantee of full respect for human rights and was enacted to help ensure the safety and protection of Women and their children.

“Sec. 8 of R.A. 9262 provi0des for the issuance or Barangay Protection Order (BPOs) by the Punong Barangay, or if she or he is not available, any Barangay Kagawad (BK) to prevent further acts of violence against a woman or her child. The relief granted under protection order should serve the purpose of safeguarding the victim from further harm, minimizing nay disruption in them victims’ daily life and facilitating the opportunity and ability of the victim to independently regain control over her life.”

These and other details of the provisions of RA 9262 are to be discussed in the November 30 mainstreaming conference, Tacal said.