Results and Discussion

The presentation of the findings of this study attempted to contextualize the problem at
hand. This nascence of this chapter begins with the profiling of the respondents of the study. The
succeeding sections are patterned after the statement of the problem.
Respondents Profile
I. Barangay VAW Desk Officer
a. Majority Age
b. Length of service as VAW Officer
II. Barangay Captain
a. Age
b. Length of Service
Establishment
The discussion of thi chapter would be patterned after the statement of the problem. To
what extent did the barangays in Iloilo City comply with the Brgy. VAW Desk Handbook?

The establishment of the Barangay VAW Desk was ..... We usually begin by asking the
respondents of their knowledge of the policy and the year regarding the establishment of the
Barangay VAW Desk. The common answer would be,
“I cannot remember, but I am certain that this was implemented just recently.”
The respondents know that there is a policy issuance regarding the establishment of the
Barangay VAW desk however most of them had no idea whether it was a presidential decree or a
barangay ordinance. Some of the respondents asked the barangay secretary to confirm the year
and the policy issuance of the Barangay VAW Desk. However, two of the respondents who
relayed to us that the policy of the establishment of the Barangay VAW desk is based on the
Memorandum Circular from the Department of Interior and Local Government last 2013.
The respondents’ awareness of the policy issuance of the barangay VAW desk is
strangely limited. The barangay VAW desk was established in 2013-2014. Most of the
respondents have been elected and appointed as barangay officials in 2013, the respondents
were expected during the issuance of the policy of the barangay VAW desk and thus should
be aware of this existence. The respondents should give importance to the very foundation
of the barangay VAW desk that legitimizes its implementation.
When asked on how the Barangay VAW Desk Person is chosen, the most concurrent
answer was,
“Since I am the Chairman of the Committee of Women’s and Family, it is also given that
I would be the Barangay VAW Desk Officer.”
The selection of the head of the committees is decided by the barangay kagawads within
themselves. Furthermore, the latter committee is usually headed by a female barangay kagawad.
Most of the respondents said,
 “Given that I am the only female officer among the barangay kagawads, it is most likely
that I would be selected as the head of the Committee on Women and Family.”
However, there are a number of Barangays in the sample who, instead of voting in order
to select the Barangay VAW desk officer, was appointed by the Barangay Captain herself /
himself. Furthermore, the selection of the Barangay VAW desk officer is usually those who are
the head of the committee on Women and Family, specifically the BCPC since the Barangay
Captains believe that the issues handled by them is closely related to that of the Barangay VAW
desk.
In the Barangay VAW Desk Handbook, it is preferable that a barangay VAW Desk
officer would be female simply because in most VAW cases, the perpetrators are male. This is an
issue of comfort in relation to victim-survivors. There were two male barangay VAW Desk
officers among the respondents; the other male VAW Desk officer was chosen because there
were no female barangay kagawad in their barangay, while the other was chosen because of his
capability and competence,
“I know that the Barangay VAW Desk officer is preferably female, but our barangay
captain chose me because he trusts in my capability.”
Some barangays also appointed their barangay secretary as the barangay VAW Desk
officer. They reasoned out that since there should be confidentiality in terms of handling the case
and keeping the records, it would be convenient to appoint the barangay secretary—the one who
already handles the records of the barangay.
It is a prerequisite for the VAW Desk officer to learn basic principle and context in
addressing VAW. Thus, the officer should at least undergo trainings and attend seminars and
workshops to be more sensitive in handling cases. We asked the respondents on whether what
seminars and trainings they have undergone, “Can you tell us whether what seminars and
trainings you have undergone,” “In a year, how often these seminars and workshops are
conducted?” The most common answer from the respondents were regarding Gender Sensitivity
Trainings, RA 9262, and Violence against Woman. Some of the respondents also answered,
“Anti-Trafficking, Child Pornography Lectures.” On the frequency of seminars and workshops,
most of the respondents said, “Twice a year.” We also asked on whether what institutions
usually conduct the seminars and workshops, the respondents have different answers. Among the
institutions that were mentioned the most were the Department of Internal and Local
Government, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the City Social Welfare and
Development Office. Some of the respondents answered the Philippine National Police.
Furthermore, other than the government-initiated trainings and seminars, there is one
respondent who asserted that there are NGOs that supports them like the Iloilo City Children’s
Welfare (for children’s protection), and the PORSIA club (which supports women empowerment
and gender sensitivity.
It was observed that respondents would usually fail to recall the specific trainings they
have attended. Most of them inferred that they receive only little training and attended one or
two seminars. There are some who usually goes to such trainings and seminars with their
barangay captains.
 The Barangay VAW Desk should be located within the barangay hall or near it. The
location must be situated in a place where the client’s privacy, confidentiality, and safety are
assured. Thus, a separate room is needed to conduct the intake interview. We asked the officers
about the location of the barangay VAW Desk. Most of the respondents said, “The VAW desk is
located within the baragay hall.” Though there are some whose Barangay VAW desk is located
near it wherein one particular Barangay constructed a building where the Barangay VAW desk is
sufficiently equipped and given a room of its own to assure the safety and confidentiality of its
cases. Another barangay also has a separate room for VAW desk, “Our VAW desk is located at
the second floor of the barangay hall.” However, most VAW desks have no separate room for
intake interview. Some of the respondents said that they use the conference room instead, “Since
the barangay has no separate room, intake interviews are usually done in the conference room.
The staff are only requested to go out for the interview to happen.” Most of the respondents
acknowledge the fact that VAW Desks should have a separate room for intake interviews. Some
of the respondents asserted that there is a problem with the location and current structure of the
Barangay hall. One respondent noted that “The place itself is a problem, instead I use the health
center room sometimes if a sensitive case comes in.” Another also stated that “We are planning
to renovate the Barangay hall in order to accommodate and properly provide services like that
of the Barangay VAW desk however we are still waiting for the approval of our development
plan”. One officer also said, “The barangay hall is under construction, however there are no
plans of allocating a room for VAW.” Few of the respondents expressed their sentiment on
requesting a room for VAW desks. A respondent said that requesting a separate room would be
difficult, “I want to request a separate room, but the government requires a lot of papers and a
complicated proposal.”
There is also a case where the Barangay VAW desk is located in a temporary location since that
certain barangay allowed the Alternative Learning System’s PWDs to use their place
Resources
Furniture is also one of the things needed in setting up a VAW Desk. All of the
respondents said that there are separate tables and chairs available for the VAW desk. The
storage/filing cabinet should be separated and there should be a designated storage place where
files could be safely kept and maintained. However, most of the respondents said that cabinet use
is communal in the barangay hall, “The barangay hall has a cabinet but this is not exclusive for
VAW purposes only.” In addition, the cabinet has no lock as well. Only a small number of
respondents said that their cabinet has lock. Sofa bed is also available in baranagay halls but this
is used for entertaining the visitors. A vehicle is always needed because VAW cases should
always be treated with urgency according to the handbook. On the availability of vehicle and/or
transport expenses to convey victim-survivors, the barangay hall has the travel patrol, tricycle, or
multicab.
Computers are available in the barangay but these are shared by other entities in the
barangay hall. Cameras are also in communal, “We have a camera but these are usually used for
events.” Although there is a need to use a tape or voice recorder, few respondents does not
acknowledge its necessity; instead some of the respondents use cellphone, “Voice recorder?
Tape recorder? Cellphone can be an alternative.”
 The respondents were also asked whether they have landline/mobile phone available.
Personal mobile phones of the officer are usually used for communication. One of the officer
said that the mobile phones are more used relative to landline since most residents owns mobile
phones, “Landline is not needed, and the barangay has no landline. The residents here contact
us through cell phones since most of them own cell phones.” If a barangay has a landline, it is
usually shared by the whole barangay office.
First aid kit is needed to respond to possible wounds, lacerations, and such that the client
may have obtained coming in to the Barangay VAW desk. Officers were also asked on the
availability of the first aid kit. Most respondents said that there is an available first aid kit and is
of common use within the barangay hall. Some of the barangay halls are also near their health
center, so some of the officers do not feel the need of a first aid kit.
We also asked the officers on the process of complaining for a VAW case. We asked
them of the monitoring tools that they use. In the handbook, there are six (6) monitoring tools
namely: VAW Docs Intake Form, Referral From, Feedback Form, BPO Application Form,
Logbook 1 for RA 9262 cases, and Logbook 2 for other VAW related cases. We asked in a
fashion if how the officer treats a coming client. Most of the officers mentioned about giving the
clients a Barangay Protection Order. This is the most offered and taken service of the VAW desk
basing on the interview. Most of the officers have knowledge of how BPO works. Forms such as
VAW Docs Intake Form, Referral From, and Feedback Form are non-existent for most of the
respondents except for one officer who showed one of the researcher these forms which the
respondent claims to be given only lately by the City Office. For Logbooks 1 and 2, some of the
respondents said about the separation of these two and failed to recognize the need for the
division of RA 9262 cases and other VAW related cases.
The respondents were also asked on the references they used in admitting VAW cases.
The VAW desk should keep a directory of all agencies and institutions. When asked whether
they have VAW Desk Handbook, all of them said they received none. However, some
recognizes that during their trainings and workshops, the office gives a soft copy of VAW Desk
handbook. One of the respondents said, “I did not receive anything, but I know that soft copies
are given.” The respondent also added his preference of a hard copy over a soft copy of the
handbook, “I prefer a hard copy because not all VAW desk officers are computer literates like
me.” When asked whether they are given VAW-related reference books, and brochures, most of
the respondents said none. Some of them also said that even these reference books and brochures
come in a soft copy.
In order for a VAW desk to operate properly, budget should be allocated. The
establishment of the VAW Desk shall be charged under the LGU’s Gender and Development
(GAD) Budget. GAD budget is used for implementing GAD Plan. According to the Barangay
VAW Desk Handbook, GAD Plan is a set of programs and specific activities and their
corresponding schedules of implementation, required resources, and costs which are
systematically designed to address gender issues in the locality. When respondents were asked
whether they allocate budget for VAW related programs and projects, most of them said they
don’t. Instead, most of the respondents said that only the BCPC (Bureau of Child Protection
Committee) are intended by the GAD budget. Some recognized the fact that there is a need to
allocate a percentage in the GAD budget for VAW. Some were even uncertain whether there
should be an allocation of budget for VAW purposes. One of the respondent said that there is a
need for “self-help” from the officer in order to operate the VAW Desk, “Since there is no
available budget for VAW desk, the officer needs to be resourceful, it is also called self-help.”
Accomplishments
We also asked the respondents on whether they submit any report to the City Social
Welfare and Development Office or the CLMGOO. Answers from the respondents differed; (a)
submitted quarterly accomplishment reports, (b) police comes in to the barangay hall for reports,
or (c) the barangay secretary responds. Most of the respondents recognize that it is quarterly.
Some of the respondents needed to confirm whether they submit a quarterly accomplishment
report to the barangay secretary.
We also asked on whether they have maintained updated database/records of all VAW
cases reported in the barangay, most of the respondents said that these cases are left written on
the logbook, “Reported VAW cases are left on the logbook”. Few of the respondents said that the
secretary records and encodes the reported cases in the computer.
On whether the accomplishment of VAW Desk is included in the State of the Barangay
Address, respondents have separate stands. Some said that these are mentioned during barangay
assembly and some said that it is not even included.
1. What are the qualities a VAW desk officer should possess to effectively deliver
VAW desk services?

Dedication of the Barangay VAW Desk Officer

 What can they say about the policy mandate to establish VAW Desk at the
barangay level?

Bottom-up approach
The respondents were asked on what they think about the establishment of the barangay
VAW desk. Some respondents think that the establishment of the barangay VAW desk beneficial
to the barangay. For a policy to function properly, its implementation should start at the barangay
level. One respondent said, “This is a good thing, since at the barangay level, everyone knows
everyone.” Secondly, establishing the VAW desk at the barangay level makes it accessible to the
people, “Clients can immediately report the case.” Then, some respondents said that it is better
to have a barangay VAW desk since officials at the city level, regional level, and national level
would not understand the need of the people relative to the barangay officials, “It is the
barangay which is the foundation of the society.” As explained by one respondent on the
importance of micro-level governance.
Additional Work
 Some respondents said that having a barangay level VAW desk is promising but for some
it is an additional work for the barangay. Even though only few have said that this can be an
overload to their work, we think it is important to point out this sentiment. First, some
respondents said that the government required them to establish a barangay VAW desk.
However, the barangay VAW desk has no intended budget. Due to this, the barangay VAW desk
officer have to think of ways to make this barangay VAW desk available and effective, “I have
to provide using my own money in order to support the VAW desk.” Resources such as printing
the forms sometimes have to come from the pocket of the barangay VAW desk officer. In
addition, clients sometimes do need food, personal amenities, and such after reporting an
incident to the barangay VAW desk. Since, there is no budget intended for these concerns, the
barangay VAW desk officer is forced to provide.

 What are the accomplishments of the Barangay VAW Desk thus far?

We asked the respondents on their definition of the accomplishments of their respective

barangay VAW desks. Three common answers arose from the respondents, (a) the declining
number of reported cases to the barangay VAW Desk, (b) the Barangay VAW desk was able to
settle the case, not needing for filing a formal complaint to higher authorities, and (c) the
awareness of the residents in their barangays regarding the VAW Desks.
The declining number of reported cases to the barangay VAW Desk
A declining number of reported cases to the VAW desks are considered by some
respondents as an accomplishment of the barangay VAW desk since for them it means that the
residents are much aware of the consequences that are available if they would inflict violence.
Some of the respondents even said that the zero (0) reported cases is an accomplishment of the
Barangay VAW desk, “The accomplishment here is that until now, this 2017, there are 0 cases
reported.”
The ability of the Barangay VAW desk to settle cases
When a client reports to the Barangay VAW desk, the officer is available to give and
explain options to the client of the existing services that the law has provided. For some of the
respondents, when a case have been settled between a woman and her partner, given that there
were no case filed against her partner is an indication that the VAW desk had done its job
properly, “Cases here are settled even at the barangay level, cases are not even subjected to
higher authorities.” The respondents were asked of what may be the cause of these clients of not
pursuing the case to higher authorities; most of the respondents said that clients are economically
dependent with their partners. One of the respondent said, “These women have no jobs, they are
dependent (economically) with their husbands. If they separate with their partners, they are
incapable of feeding their children” Secondly, another reason for not pursuing the case is that
clients only wanted to stop the violence that is happening and to give warning to their
perpetrators, “I will forgive him, I only came here to stop the battering and also to give warning
to him.” One respondent said that since the case is not subjected to higher authorities, some of
the clients return to the barangay VAW desk and reports the same complaint.
The awareness of the residents in their barangays regarding the VAW Desks
 Residents in the barangay are aware that there is a barangay VAW desk available in the
barangay hall, “So far, I think people here are much aware of the existing laws.” The
information dissemination of the existence of the barangay VAW desk is done by the officer
through general assemblies, or any programs that the officer is given a chance to talk in public.
“The people here know that I am the barangay VAW desk person.” This suggests that the person
working as the barangay VAW desk officer implies the functionality of the barangay VAW desk
itself. Furthermore, this is an indication that the residents associate the barangray VAW desk to
the officer in charge.

 What are the issue and challenges faced by the VAW Desk officers in the
implementation and service delivery of the Barangay VAW Desk?

We asked the respondents of the issues and challenges they encounter in running their
respective barangay VAW Desks. Common answers from the respondents were, (a) the lack of
facilities, (b) the perpetrators do not recognize the issued sanctions of the barangay VAW Desk,
(c) the size of the barangay, (d) the awareness of the people, and (e) the political conflict within
the barangay officials.
Lack of facilities
One of the major problems of the respondents is that the facilities are lacking which is
contrary to the required facilities in the handbook. The VAW desk requires a separate room
which most barangays does not have. The reasons for lack of facilities came into three issues: (a)
no budget intended for a separate room for VAW Desk, (b) officers do not think the necessity of
the required furniture or equipment, (c) the location of the barangay hall is not ideal for a
separate VAW room.
Most of the respondents said that the construction of a separate room for the VAW desk
is not a priority. An allocation for a budget to its construction would be difficult to materialize.
Secondly, officers do not think some of the required furniture or equipment to be necessary.
Other respondents said that some of the furniture and equipment were not given because some
officials are not supportive of the Barangay VAW desk. Lastly, the location of the barangay hall
cannot permit for a construction of VAW desk. One of the respondent said that the location of
their barangay hall is still on conflict between the government and a private property developer.
Thus, building a separate room for VAW desk is impractical. Others said that their barangay hall
is too small to add a room for VAW desk. Instead, they use the conference room to interview
clients. Some of the respondents also added that requesting resources from the government is a
very long process, “It is difficult to request for a budget, the government demands for a very
long process. We find it difficult to comply with their requirements; it cannot pass the
Commission on Audit.”
Perpetrators not recognizing the sanctions imposed by the barangay VAW Desk
When both parties are requested to come in the barangay hall to discuss the concern
regarding the reported case, respondents find it hard to calm involved parties, “They won’t listen
to us. They are shouting with each other.” Secondly, another concern comes in especially when
the barangay VAW desk issues Barangay Protection Order (BPO) to the perpetrators. One
respondent said that some perpetrators do not leave their houses when issued by a BPO, forcing
the barangay officials to arrest the person for violation. In addition, some perpetrators who have
been already reported and settled in the barangay VAW desk were being reported again for the
same abuse. One respondent said, “Some perpetrators are reported several times.” Since these
cases are settled in the barangay level, the violence for these clients remains a cyle.
Size of the barangay
The size of the barangay is also a factor that challenges the implementation of the
barangay VAW desk. One respondent said, “Our barangay is big which makes it difficult for us
to respond. Sometimes, when you arrive at the area, the case is already done.” This is a
manifestation of how important the availability of vehicle and/or transportation in a particular
barangay.
Awareness
For some barangays, the awareness of the residents can be an issue. Some respondents
said that the only way for them to inform its people is through barangay assemblies. However,
only few are attending these barangay assemblies.
Internal Political Conflict
The support from the barangay officials is needed in order for the barangay VAW desk to
function properly. However, even internally, barangay officials are having conflict with each
other resulting to not supporting each other’s committee. One respondent said, “I have a lot of
plans for the VAW desk, however, I cannot gain the support from my fellow kagawad.” As a
result the proposed plan is rejected by the barangay council. Furthermore, some kagawad are not
doing their job and because of this the committees assigned to those kagawad are compromised.