By Nimfa L. Estrellado Councilor Maja Escueta authors Municipal Ordinance No. 2023-05 in Tiaong, localizing the Safe Spaces Act. TIAONG,...
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| Councilor Maja Escueta authors Municipal Ordinance No. 2023-05 in Tiaong, localizing the Safe Spaces Act. |
TIAONG, Quezon — Marking National Women’s Month, the Sangguniang Bayan of Tiaong passed an ordinance addressing gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) in the municipality. The measure reinforces local efforts to address harassment in public spaces, workplaces, schools, and other areas of community life.
The ordinance localizes Republic Act No. 11313, also known as the Safe Spaces Act, within the municipality. The law identifies streets, public spaces, workplaces, educational institutions, training facilities, and online platforms as safe spaces where harassment and discrimination are not allowed.
Authored by Councilor Maja Escueta, the measure adopts the national policy at the municipal level. It also establishes a local Declaration of Policy that affirms the municipality’s commitment to uphold human dignity, equality, and safety.
Escueta said the ordinance aims to protect residents, workers, and students in different areas of the municipality. She said the policy recognizes the need for clear rules and enforcement in public spaces, schools, and workplaces.
“Layunin ng ordinansang ito na tiyakin na ang bawat pampublikong lugar, paaralan, at lugar ng trabaho sa Tiaong ay ligtas para sa lahat,” Escueta said. “Hindi dapat pinapalampas ang anumang uri ng gender-based sexual harassment sa ating komunidad.”
Escueta said the local government seeks to strengthen enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act at the municipal level. She noted that local action can help ensure that complaints are properly addressed and victims receive assistance.
“Sa pamamagitan ng lokal na pagpapatupad ng Safe Spaces Act, mas mapapalakas natin ang proteksyon sa ating mga mamamayan,” Escueta said. “Mahalaga na malinaw ang mga patakaran upang maiwasan ang pang-aabuso at maprotektahan ang dignidad ng bawat isa.”
To guide implementation, the local government will create an Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee (ASH-C) responsible for coordinating programs and ensuring compliance with the policy. Traffic enforcers and local law enforcement personnel are designated as Anti-Sexual Harassment Enforcers (ASHEs) who will respond to incidents in streets, transport areas, and other public places.
The measure also requires the establishment of Anti-Sexual Harassment (ASH) Desks and hotlines at both municipal and barangay levels. These desks will receive complaints, assist victims, and coordinate with authorities, including cases involving gender-based online sexual harassment.
Workplaces are covered through duties assigned to employers, employees, and co-workers in preventing harassment and reporting violations. Educational and training institutions are also required to establish Committees on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) and adopt codes of conduct addressing such cases.
Liabilities and fines are imposed on persons-in-charge who fail to perform their duties or ignore complaints filed under the policy. Implementation will involve coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) office, and Women and Children Protection Centers or Desks.
The measure also requires the development of educational modules on gender-based sexual harassment and calls for safety audits every three years to review how the policy is carried out. Funding will come from the municipality’s Gender and Development (GAD) budget, with additional allocations allowed under existing government provisions.
Municipal Ordinance No. 2023-05 was enacted on February 12, 2024 in Tiaong, Quezon to localize the implementation of Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act. The policy sets local mechanisms for addressing gender-based sexual harassment in the municipality.
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