Barangays are often the first places people turn to when they experience harassment, discrimination, or violence. This makes barangay officials and community frontliners vital in ensuring that individuals who experience harassment or abuse or affected by gender-based violence are heard, protected, and given the help they need.
Recognizing this responsibility, the Women, Gender and Development (WGAD) Unit of Mindoro State University (MinSU)- Victoria (Main) Campus conducted an information dissemination program titled “Empowering Barangay Leaders for Safe, Inclusive and Gender-Responsive Communities: An Information Dissemination Program on the Safe Spaces Act, Sexual Harassment Prevention, and Gender Sensitivity Training on November 12, 2026 at Brgy. Alcate Covered Court, Alcate, Victoria, Oriental Mindoro.”
The activity opened with welcome remarks from Hon. Roy B. Pantaleon, Barangay Chairman, followed by the opening remarks of Dr. Maria Majorie Castillo, WGAD Director, who highlighted the importance of strengthening gender awareness and equipping community leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote safe and inclusive communities.
Dr. Bernadeth P. De Guzman, Associate Professor I and former WGAD Coordinator, discussed three laws that protect individuals from harassment and abuse: Republic Act No. 7877, or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995; Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act; and Republic Act No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act.
Beyond understanding these laws, she emphasized the importance of gender sensitivity among barangay leaders, particularly in handling complaints, responding to gender-related concerns, and protecting the rights and welfare of community members.
The activity gathered barangay officials, barangay health workers, barangay police, and representatives of barangay-affiliated organizations, recognizing their role in identifying gender-related concerns and helping ensure that victims receive appropriate assistance.
Moreover, as part of the information dissemination efforts, participants were provided with information, education, and communication (IEC) materials, including brochures on the Safe Spaces Act and other GAD-related laws.
For newly elected Barangay Kagawad Ladie Darlene Pantaleon, the seminar offered a deeper understanding of the responsibilities that come with public service.
“Bilang isang baguhang kagawad ng barangay, ang ganitong seminar ay lubos na nakapagbibigay ng kaalaman at naiisapuso ang responsibilidad na aking tinanggap bilang miyembro ng Sangguniang Barangay. Ang pagsisilbi sa barangay ay hindi lang pagtulong kundi pagpapatupad ng tama at pantay na batas sa mamamayan,” she said.
Miriam Alviz, Barangay Health Worker (BHW), likewise underscored the importance of knowing the laws to prevent harassment and protect community members.
“Dahil sa seminar na ito, nalaman at natutunan ko po ang mga batas na itinakda at ang kahalagahan nito sa mga tao. Bilang isang naglilingkod sa barangay dapat ay maging aware po tayo dito, para wala na pong mabastos,” Alviz said.
The activity concluded with closing remarks from Mr. Domenick Mortella, WGAD Deputy Director of MinSU–Victoria (Main) Campus, who encouraged the participants to put what they had learned into practice and carry their responsibility of helping make their communities safer and more inclusive.
The initiative forms part of MinSU’s continuing efforts to strengthen gender awareness and promote safer, more inclusive communities by equipping barangay leaders and frontliners with the knowledge to recognize, prevent, and properly respond to cases of harassment and gender-based violence. (jdtdc)
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