The Pangasinan Crisis Intervention Center (PCIC) will be re-certified by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) as Gender and Development (GAD) Local Learning Hub (LLH) for its efforts in empowering women and programs promoting gender equality.

PCW Chairperson Sandra Sanchez-Montano led the three-day validation, site visit, document review and interview held from January 24 to January 26.

Provincial Administrator Nimrod S. Camba and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO) Emilio P. Samson Jr. welcomed the PCW Chair and her team.

The lone province in Region 1 to be conferred with this feat, Pangasinan has successfully passed the re-validation and re-assessment of the PCW.

As of 2020, there are only 12 local government units certified by PCW as GAD LLHs across the country, including the Province of Pangasinan.

The PCIC located within the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office compound, is a “temporary shelter” established in 2016 that operates on a 24-hour basis to cater to victims and survivors of gender-based violence.

Among the integrated services offered at the PCIC are: rescue and protection, financial assistance, and referrals for medical, legal and psychological services.

PSWDO Social Welfare Officer II Evelyn Dismaya noted that the PCIC can accommodate up to 20 clients for temporary shelter for 3-7 days.

“Meron din tayong Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Hotline open 24/7,” Dismaya added, noting that th provincial government also hopes to localize its VAWC hotline to better serve Pangasinenses.

Fifth District Board Member Chinky Perez-Tababa, who also chairs Committee on Children, Women, Senior Citizens, Family Affairs and Social Welfare,  also had a dialogue with PCW Chairperson.

It can be recalled that the PCW earlier certified LGU-Pangasinan’s GAD Local Learning Hub in March 2019 where PCW Chairperson Montano presented the glass marker that represents the said accolade to Governor Amado I. Espino III.

The glass marker states that the Province of Pangasinan is cited “for its efforts in gender-responsive local governance towards the promotion of human rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of all women and girls.”

Other LGUs with PCW certification as GAD LLH are: Mabalacat City (Region III), Province of Aklan (Region VI), Province of Iloilo (Region VI), Province of Palawan (MIMAROPA Region), Province of Misamis Occidental (Region X), Quezon City (National Capital Region), Quezon Province (CALABARZON Province), Naga City (Region V), Municipality of Abra de Ilog (MIMAROPA Region), Baybay City (Region VIII), and Davao City (Region XI.

/Shiella Mae DG. Castro