Magpale Urges Victims of Domestic Violence to Seek PWC Help

Vice Gov. Agnes A. Magpale encourages victims of domestic violence to seek immediate help from the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC) to stop the abuses on them and to prevent things from getting out of hand that may result in death.

Magpale made this advice following the demise of a woman who was shot by her ex-husband while hearing a mass in Catarman town in Camiguin Province.

“The PWC can provide them protection. We can give them a legal counsel and we have various programs so they can start a new life,” Magpale said.

In a radio interview over dyAB, Magpale, who champions women and children’s rights, said the Province has a women and children center in Sitio Sudlon, Barangay Lahug, Cebu City that extends support to those victims of domestic violence.

“Pagsugod nato niini nga kawsa, nagsuroy gyud mi sa tibuok lalawigan nag-awhag mi sa mga local government units nga magbuhat og council alang sa kababayen-an,” she said.

In her first term as a member of the Provincial Board in 1992, Magpale wasted no time in advancing her advocacy on women’s rights as she authored the ordinance for the creation of the PWC.

This was followed by two landmark ordinances, such as the Women Development Code and the Children’s Code, both passed in the same year in 2005.

Built on a sprawling 1,000-square meter lot, the P14-million center has dormitories that can accommodate up to 33 people. It has rooms for legal, medical and psychological services. It also has a chapel, an activity hall and a livelihood training facility.

“It’s a dream come true. The center is our way of showing our love and commitment and to help abused women and children pick up the pieces of their lives, as I believe that they should have an equal place in society,” Magpale said in a separate interview earlier.

Aside from empowering women, Magpale also took the lead, together with law enforcement authorities and other concerned agencies, in rescuing children from cyber pornography.

The center can also cater to the rehabilitation of the children who fell prey to online sex predators.

Another assistance is also extended by the Provincial Government to victims of violence who wish to pursue a college education through the Paglaum Scholarship Program.

The scholarship is also open to indigent students, drug surrenderers, persons with disabilities, who are not among the top 10 of the class.

As of today, the PWC has already 1,375 scholars under the Paglaum Scholarship. (Cebu Provincial Gov’t)