Author: Hon. Gilda Gayle R. Abonal-Gomez
Date Filed: June 8, 2026
This proposed measure, known as the “Barangay VAWCG Desk Officer Institutionalization Ordinance of Naga City,” updates and expands the city’s localized safety network. Recognizing that modern gender issues extend beyond traditional boundaries, it renames the current Barangay VAWC Desks to include protections against broader Gender Discrimination (VAWCGD). Crucially, the law converts the position of Desk Officer into a permanent, appointive, and non-co-terminous barangay role. This ensures that when local administrations change, trained personnel remain in place—preserving accumulated expertise, continuity of service, and the vital trust built with vulnerable victim-survivors.
Highlights of Proposed Ordinance
- EXPANDED DESK SCOPE: Renames the old “Barangay VAWC Desk” to the Barangay Violence Against Women, Their Children and Gender Discrimination (VAWCGD) Desk to cater to all vulnerable sectors facing gender bias.
- PERMANENT TENURE (NON-CO-TERMINOUS): The Desk Officer position becomes a regular, continuing appointive office. Officers cannot be automatically removed when a new Punong Barangay takes office and can only be separated for just cause.
- COMPETENCE-BASED SELECTION: Officers are appointed by the Punong Barangay upon approval of the Barangay Council. The Barangay Council for Women (BCW) will handle public job postings, screen applicants, and recommend at least two nominees.
- STRICT ELIGIBILITY & CORE SKILLS: Candidates must be Naga City residents with zero records of moral turpitude or abuse, possessing a clear background in human rights or community welfare. They must have or quickly acquire skills in crisis counseling, case documentation, and strict data confidentiality.
- MANDATORY TRAINING PROTOCOLS: Appointed officers must undergo formal Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) and exhaustive legal briefings on national protection frameworks (such as RA 9262, RA 9710, and the Safe Spaces Act/RA 11313).
- COMPENSATION & FUNDING: Officers will receive a standardized honorarium or salary. Expenses and operational needs will be structurally funded via the barangay and city Gender and Development (GAD) Funds.
- TRANSITORY ADVANTAGE: Incumbent desk officers are not automatically dismissed upon passage but will be given a grace period to complete the new qualification and training benchmarks.
- Proposed