All the 590 barangays in the Province of Antique have established violence against women (VAW) desks to serve their clients 24/7.

Antique Provincial Gender and Development Coordinator Prisceli Joyce Lizcel Galuego said in an interview that the VAW desks had assigned barangay officials and personnel to cater to the concerns of their clients.

“The VAW desk is open 24/7 so that the women victims could be assisted anytime they would seek help,” she said on Wednesday.

She said there are barangays that even provide a room where the victim could temporarily seek shelter and counseling.

Those in charge of the VAW desk were trained on gender sensitivity to be knowledgeable in handling clients.

Meanwhile, the Antique provincial government employees, together with the GAD Inter-Agency Committee chaired by Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao, launched the Women’s Month Celebration on March 3 during their flag-raising ceremony with a program and ”One Billion Rising” dance campaign.

Galuego said they will also hold a color fun run at the University of Antique Main Campus in Sibalom on March 12 and the culmination activity on March 25 in the Municipality of Bugasong.

“There will be various provincial and national government agencies that would deliver their services,” she said.

She said that the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) will have a lecture on family planning and health education against cervical cancer, the Public Employment Service Office will have a job fair, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will assist with land titling, Philippine Statistics Authority on national identification registration, and National Bureau of Investigation with clearance issuance, among others. (PNA)