The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) expressed its full support for the implementation of Republic Act 11313 or most commonly known as the Safe Spaces Act.
On the signing of its implementing rules and regulations, MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said that the agency will ensure that its part as one of the implementing bodies of the law will be effectively carried out.
“As the MMDA is pushing for a smart and sustainable Metro Manila, we will also ensure that its livability as a city that is safe for all will be completely realized,” he said.
Lim believes that through the passage of the Safe Spaces Act, everyone can now freely walk the streets at any time of the day, comfortably go to work or school, and easily go online without fear of being sexually harassed.
“The Safe Spaces Act is a relevant and timely law addressing all forms of sexual harassment on all gender, public spaces, and online. With the passage of this law, no one will experience sexual harassment anywhere again.”
The MMDA Chairman also warned those who are involved in sexual offense and harassments as the law penalizes such acts.
“We won’t allow offenders to get away with it. Anyone should know that sexual harassment promotes disrespect and it is a crime punishable by law,” he stressed.
Lim also said that the agency’s traffic enforcers are also actively doing their part to address sexual harassment in the street which, he said, is the “most common form of harassment” being experienced by many.
“Just recently, our traffic enforcers immediately turned over to police a sexual harasser inside a public utility bus. This is just one of the instances that our men acted on sexual harassment complaints being brought to them by the public.”
The said male commuter is accused of barring his genitals to a pregnant woman while inside a bus plying EDSA. It was reported to traffic constable Mark Geronimo by the bus driver as the woman passenger complained that the offender seated next to her showed her his genitals.
Also part of the MMDA’s efforts to contribute to safe and violence-free public spaces is the installation of additional closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) in strategic locations along Metro Manila to deter and apprehend, not only traffic violators but at the same time, sexual offenders.
Lim also called out to continue the fight against sexual harassment and harassers and to make it everyone’s responsibility and priority.
