In partnership with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), employees of the Port Management Office Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro including the outsourced personnel, participated in an online seminar on the Safe Spaces Act “Bawal Bastos Law” on 23 November 2021. This webinar is in line with the PMO’s participation in the continuing Campaign to End Violence Against Women.

The invited resource speaker, Atty. Khristine Kay M. Lazarito-Calingin, of PCW-North Mindanao Field Office, explained that the Safe Spaces Act is intended to expand the scope of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 or Republic Act No. 7877. The Safe Spaces Act guards against sexual harassment not only in workplaces, educational institutions, or training environments (the only areas covered by the Anti-Sexual Harrassment Act of 1995), but also in public spaces such as malls, parks, and other privately-owned places open to the public. Atty. Calingin emphasized that under the Safe Spaces Act, offenders are not only limited to those who possess authority e.g. managers, teachers, employers, etc. but now also include peers, colleagues, and practically anyone who commits gender-based sexual harassment.

The participants raised several questions during the open forum, to which the guest speaker adeptly answered.

This webinar is part of the PMO’s Gender and Development program that aims to promote and support gender mainstreaming. —BCAcedera