𝐁𝐏𝐃𝐀, 𝐒𝐃𝐅-𝐏𝐌𝐎 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐨 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 ‘𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐭’

COTABATO CITY — As part of the National Women’s Month celebration, select employees of the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) and Special Development Fund-Project Management Office (SDF-PMO) participated on Thursday, March 31, a one-day orientation on Republic Act No. 11313, commonly known as Safe Spaces Act or “Bawal Bastos Law”, facilitated by the Gender and Development (GAD) focal of the Social Planning Division (SPD).

The said orientation aimed to ensure the said employees’ sense of personal space and public safety.

In his message, Palawan Mamaon, Chief of the SPD, discussed the brief overview of the activity.

“We must be educated about the coverage and mandates of this law,” he said.

Accordingly, the Philippine Congress has enacted this law to address existing gaps and issues on equality, security, and safety of both women and men in private and public spaces.

Atty. Hannah P. Mangondato, Attorney IV of the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC-BARMM), shared that said law covers all forms of gender-based sexual harassment committed in public spaces such as streets, privately-owned places open to the public, educational or training institutions, workplace, and public utility vehicles, among others.

“It also includes the protection even to cyberspace and provides for prohibited acts and their corresponding penalties,” she stressed.

Moreover, the said law also penalizes catcalling, wolf-whistling, misogynistic and homophobic slurs, unwanted sexual advances, and other forms of sexual harassment.

During an open forum, one of the female participants stressed that this orientation was an opportunity for them to learn as they are fully unaware that such law is being enforced in the country.

“First time po naming ma-encounter at marinig ang Bawal Bastos Law. As in, never heard of it. Mabuti na lang at naka-attend kami, at least dagdag-kaalaman at awareness na din sa mga dapat iwasang gawin sa kapwa in public places,” she said.

Meanwhile, Atty. Mangondatu answered the queries of the participants and cited some instances that explain whether a certain action violates the Safe Spaces Act. (BPDA-BARMM)