• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental provincial government’s safe space advocacy, which aims at ensuring the equality, security, and safety of every individual, in both private and public spaces, including online and in workplaces, got overwhelming support from local officials led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Lacson led the signing of the Safe Spaces Pledge in a ceremony held on Friday at the Ayala Malls Activity Center in Bacolod City.
He also commended Fifth District Board Member Rita Gatuslao, chairperson of the committee on women, children and family relations, and the entire Provincial Board for making Negros Occidental as among the first provinces to localize the Safe Spaces Act and its implementing rules and regulations.
“Our Safe Space Day signifies our commitment to creating environments free from violence and discrimination where every individual, regardless of gender, can thrive,” Lacson said.
In April 2019, then President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act No. 11313, also known as the Safe Spaces Act, a law that covers all forms of gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) committed in public spaces, educational or training institutions, workplaces as well as online.
The activity was also attended by Pulupandan Mayor Miguel Antonio Peña, chairperson of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines- Negros Occidental Chapter, and Cauayan Vice Mayor Analisa Tabujara-Soriano, president of the Local Lady Legislators’ League-Negros Occidental, along with representatives of Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, chairman of the Regional Development Council-Western Visayas, and Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives. | GB
