Urbiztondo Bested Other LGUs in Battle vs. VAWC

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

URBIZTONDO, Pangasinan – This town garnered a perfect score in the mode of verification (MOV) by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) against all component cities and municipalities in the province on the fight versus trafficking and violence against women and children (VAWC).

 “The final rating of 100%. it is the equivalent of the ideal grade of functionality from the DILG,” Mayor Modesto M. Operania referred to the latest feat of his governance when interviewed by this newspaper on what he received from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in its fight against these two social menaces.

According to the DILG Provincial Director Virgilio P. Sison, CESO V, the administration of Mayor Operania got a perfect score on its battle against these criminal acts. These scourges have been a bane not only in the Philippines but in other countries, too.

The following scores and their corresponding indicators below were the result of the local committee on anti-trafficking (LCAT)-VAWC functionality’s assessment in April 18, 2023 held at the El Jardine Restaurant in Lingayen, Pangasinan:

5 Points: for the local government unit (LGU) organization of the LCAT-VAWC;

 5 Points: Composition of LCAT-VAWC in accordance with JMC No. 2010-1. It is about the creation of LCAT-VAWC;

10 Points: Four (4) LGU’s initiated regular quarterly meeting;

10 Points: LCAT-VAWC Annual Work and Financial Plan (AWFP) reflecting PPAs to address TIP and VAWC development;

10 Points: Approved LCAT-VAWC-AWFP are integrated in the annual investment program of the LGU;

10 Points: Policy to protect trafficked and VAWC victims survive as formulated by LCAT-VAWC;

10 Points: Data base on TIP and VAWC cases are maintained and updated;

10 Points: Information, education and advocacy campaign against TIP and VAWC conducted;

5 Points: For every semester’s accomplishment report submitted to PCAT-VAWC (Or RCAT-VAWC for highly urbanized cities (HUCs);

5 Points: Accomplishments of LCAT-VAWC are reflected in the LGU’s annual report, newsletter, website, presented/discussed during meetings or other similar activities.

The bid of the Operania Administration to be the best on LCAT-VAWC in the huge province of Pangasinan was assessed by LGOO VI Calvin Nollie Julius B. Lubrin of the DILG, Police Capt. Jennylyn Eslera of the PNP, Annabel Terrado Roque of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, and Anna Ma. Theresa S. de Guzman, MD, MPH of the Provincial Health Office.