Posted on by Angel Pulusan

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 2 (DSWD FO2) participated in the CY 2025 Functionality Assessment of the Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (LCAT-VAWC) and the Safe Spaces Act Audit held on September 9–10, 2026, at Hotel Carmelita, Tuguegarao City.
The activity assessed the functionality and compliance of local government units (LGUs) in addressing trafficking in persons (TIP), violence against women and children (VAWC), and gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH), including the implementation of the Safe Spaces Act.

In his welcome message, DSWD FO2 Assistant Regional Director for Operations Franco G. Lopez emphasized the importance of looking beyond documents and compliance indicators, noting that assessments should help ensure that local mechanisms effectively translate laws and policies into protection and services for women, children, and other vulnerable sectors.

As Chairperson of the Regional Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (RAT-VAWC), DSWD FO2 continues to strengthen inter-agency efforts on the prevention, protection, rehabilitation, and reintegration of victims and survivors of trafficking and gender-based violence.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), as Chair of the Regional Inter-Agency Monitoring Team, led the assessment and audit in coordination with DSWD and other member agencies.

The activity underscored the agencies’ commitment to strengthening local mechanisms and ensuring responsive and effective protection and services for women, children, and other vulnerable groups.