For successfully crafting and implementing programs and activities to build a safer environment for women and children, the province of Davao Oriental is lauded as the only province in the Davao Region to receive the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Network Award dubbed as the ‘INA Award’ under the Outstanding Local Government Units (LGUs) Category.
Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang being represented by the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) Vice-Chairman Ednar G. Dayanghirang was presented with the INA Plaque during the second IACAT XI Network Awarding at Apo View Hotel in Davao City on December 8, 2021. The Ina Award was organized to honor the endeavors that aims to safeguard the mothers and their children being a vulnerable sector against violence and abuse.
In relation to the award’s criteria, the province has mobilized to answer the Trafficking and VAWC issues through the creation of the Executive Order No. 42, series of 2019 also known as the Creation of Local Inter-Agency Committees on Anti-Traffickng, Anti-Child Pornography and Violence Against Women and their Children (LIACAT-ACP-VAWC), thereby amending the DSWD DOJ and DILG Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2010-1.
Among the responsibilities of LIACAT-ACP-VAW include the strengthening system on surveillance, investigation and rescue to ensure effective and efficient coordination, undertake information education, and advocacy campaign against trafficking in persons, child pornography and VAWC. Moreover, the province also conducts regular coordination meetings in order to ensure implementation of policies and programs as well as ensuring establishment and monitor functionality of VAWC desk in every barangay.
As a proactive measure, Davao Oriental conducts province-wide research study and evaluation of gender-related issues and concerns and provide technical assistance to the municipal and barangay level. The provincial government regularly recommend programs for inclusion to the Annual Work and Financial Plan and submit report to the chairperson of RCAT-ACP-VAWC, in particular served cases on trafficking, child pornography, VAWC and other forms of gender-based violence.
Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang wants to ensure that the province of Davao Oriental will always be a safe zone for women and children through constant monitoring not only on the provincial level but with coordination to the grassroots which is the barangay level.
The Governor has also stressed the significance of partnership among the non-government organizations and other stakeholders to foresee activities to better avoid human trafficking and child pornography especially with the rising popularity of social media which is being widely exploited as tool to conduct virtual or online sexual abuses.
Meanwhile, also recognized with an INA Award under the non-government organization category is Davao Oriental’s active partner Global Impact Philippines Foundation, Inc. With the presence of its Founding Director Pastor Amy Muranko-Gahan.
Other INA Awardees for Outstanding Local Government Units are Davao City, Panabo City, Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) and Tagum City.
