Dagupan launches VAWC Hotline

DAGUPAN CITY – The City Government of Dagupan launched on March 6 a new hotline called Violence against Women and Children (VAWC) hotline to protect women and children against any form of violence.

The VAWC Hotline is 0947-508-8888.

“This is another bold-step to protect women with the use of this hotline because Dagupan today bares this respect and responsibility of giving more added value to the rights of women not any other more time in history,” Mayor Belen T. Fernandez said .

The launching was done during  the Women’s Summit at CSI the City Mall Big Atrium as part of the  celebration of the 2015 National Women’s Month on the theme “Juana, Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na!”

Fernandez was joined by Akbayan Party Chairperson and Director of the Health Care Providers Sector of PhilHealth Ana Theresia Hontiveros and Cathryne Jonne T. Licudine-Dalen, Assistant Secretary of the Office of the Planning and Public Affairs, Presidential Communications Operations Office.<!--more-->



Gender and Development Focal Person Marrien Mejia said  the hotline will provide access for women who are victims of different forms of abuses including rape as well as create awareness to eventually stop any form of violence against women and children.

“With the VAWC hotline, we can reach out to women and children who need counseling, legal advice, a free check-up if there is a need for it. All that they have to do is text or call us, identify their issues and then we will validate their concerns and give them our assistance,” Mejia said.

Hontiveros in her message encouraged the "Juanas" of Dagupan to make the 2015 theme happen where women are more active in leadership, power and decision-making.


Fernandez, on the other hand cited a number of key positions in the city hall being held by women like City Councilor Maybelyn Rose D. Fernandez, City Administrator Farah Marie G. Decano, City Nutrition and CSWD Officer Leah L. Aquino, City Engineer Virginia V. Rosario, City Budget Officer Luz De Guzman, City Accountant Ma. Teresita C. Manaois, City Treasurer Romelita F. Alcantara, City Agriculture Officer Emma J. Molina, City Civil Registry Officer Digna C. Liwanag, City Librarian Rufina S. Meneses and Public Employment and Service Office Manager Joy Siapno.

Fernandez also disclosed that more than half of the entire workforce in the city hall is women, the barangay vonluteers are all women, and most especially the city’s mayor is a lady.

“There is a growing presence of potential women leaders now in our city. This only proved that women in Dagupan are now actively participating in politics, decision-making and policy-making processes in government,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez considers this year’s gathering a celebration of the contributions that women make in every aspects of life.

She said that many women have become victims of violence because they are  "financially disempowered".

“Financial empowerment is the key to free women from the ills of domestic issues. Once a woman earns she becomes a better person,” Fernandez said. (CIO)