By Gabriela Baron
In celebration of the National Women’s Month, the Quezon City Local Government will be offering free PAP smear and cervical cancer screenings to its female citizens.
A women-led bazaar will also be held month-long at the Quezon City Hall.
Also among the programs organized by the local government unit (LGU) are seminars on sexual harassment, women’s rights, and mental health, as well as medical missions and free ultrasound.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte stressed that the programs lined up aimed at protecting women from abuse and to look after their physical and mental well-being.
“Gaya na lang ng higit isang daang kababaihan na nasagip ng Task Force Magdalena, karamihan ng mga biktima ay edad bente uno pataas at ipinasok sa mga spa o massage parlors na nag-aalok ng extra service,” Belmonte said, referring to the program she established in 2020 to rescue victims of human trafficking in the city.
Two years after the launch of Men Against Violence Everywhere (MOVE) and Cycling to End Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC), Belmonte noted that the city government received over 2,000 reports of various kinds of abuse against women.
“Any number other than zero is simply unacceptable,” said Belmonte, adding that she expanded the services of Quezon City Helpline 122 to respond to VAWC reports and mental health concerns.
Aside from the VAWC desk in the barangays, the LGU also established the QC Protection Center, a one-stop shop crisis center that she plans to expand to every district in the city, and Bahay Kanlungan, a temporary shelter for VAWC victims.
Belmonte added that the LGU partnered with the Philippine Cancer Society for its ACT NOW Prime Care for Breast Cancer Program where 20,000 women will receive free breast cancer assessment and laboratory tests at its Pilot Site in Barangay Commonwealth.
Around 2,700 single mothers who experienced abuse were given a sari-sari store through the “Tindahan ni Ate Joy” program while around 13,000 women received regular incomes through the QC urban farming program.
Belmonte also assured that the welfare of Women Deprived of Liberty and teenage mothers are also being prioritized through the city’s “No Woman Left Behind Program” and “Batang Ina Program,” respectively. -ag
