Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iloilo News Archive Description An account of the resource News, old and new, about Iloilo Province Subject The topic of the resource Iloilo Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Iloilo adopts ‘zero tolerance’ policy on violence vs women By Ime Sornito -Monday, December 15, 2025 ILOILO — The Iloilo provincial government has adopted a firm “zero tolerance” stance against all forms of violence against women, with Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. ordering the full use of the law and provincial resources to protect victims and hold abusers accountable. The directive was announced during the culmination of the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol lobby on December 10, with Provincial Administrator Raul Banias delivering the governor’s message. “Governor Toto’s marching order is simple: Zero Tolerance. In the Province of Iloilo, abuse has no place. Whether it is physical, emotional, or economic abuse, we will use the full force of the law and the full resources of the Capitol to protect the vulnerable. We are building a province where safety is a right, not a privilege,” Banias said. Banias stressed that the end of the 18-day campaign does not mark the end of the provincial government’s efforts, but rather a renewed commitment for the rest of the year. “As we gather here and close this campaign, let us take the ‘Naked Truth’ with us… Let us not turn away when we see signs of abuse. Let us be the neighbors who listen, the officials who act, and the community that cares,” he said. He added that the culmination activity is “not the end of our work, but the day we renew our vow for the next 347 days of the year.” Drawing from both his medical and administrative background, Banias said violence leaves not only visible physical injuries but also deeper, unseen wounds. “As a medical doctor, I have seen the physical scars of violence. But as an administrator, I know the invisible scars are often deeper,” he said. He described the campaign’s theme, “Hublas ng Kamatuoran sa Pag-abuso” (Naked Truth on Abuse), as a call to expose violence that often occurs behind closed doors. “The naked truth is that violence against women and children often happens in the shadows—behind closed doors, silenced by fear, and sometimes, enabled by a culture of indifference,” Banias said. “We are here today to strip away that silence. Under the leadership of Governor Toto Defensor, the Province of Iloilo recognizes that we cannot claim to be a progressive province if our mothers, daughters, and sisters are not safe in their own homes,” he added. Banias emphasized that economic growth must go hand in hand with social justice, noting that the province’s development framework, MoRProGRes Iloilo, places resilience and social protection at its core. As part of its sustained anti-VAW drive, Banias reiterated several concrete commitments of the provincial government, including the strengthening of frontline services through fully functional VAW desks down to the barangay level. He said Barangay VAW Desk Officers are being equipped not only with logbooks but also with empathy and legal knowledge to respond immediately to victim-survivors. The province is also reinforcing psychosocial and legal support systems through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), ensuring access to counseling and legal assistance, with support from the Philippine National Police and the Public Attorney’s Office. Banias likewise called on men to take an active role in ending violence against women. “Ending VAW is not just a woman’s issue; it is a man’s issue,” he said. “We need more men to stand up against toxic behavior and speak out when they witness harassment.” The culminating activity was spearheaded by the PSWDO in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 6, the Department of Health–Western Visayas Center for Health Development, and the Regional Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (RCAT-VAWC)./PN Citation Citation of the article Sornito, I. [ 2025, December 15 ]. Iloilo adopts ‘zero tolerance’ policy on violence vs women. Panay News, 4&15. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iloilo adopts ‘zero tolerance’ policy on violence vs women Description An account of the resource ILOILO — The Iloilo provincial government has adopted a firm “zero tolerance” stance against all forms of violence against women, with Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. ordering the full use of the law and provincial resources to protect victims and hold abusers accountable. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sornito, Ime Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-adopts-zero-tolerance-policy-on-violence-vs-women/" title="Panay News" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-adopts-zero-tolerance-policy-on-violence-vs-women/</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Panay News Incorporated Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 15, 2025 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Subject The topic of the resource Women--Violence against Victims of family violence Social services Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 6 Iloilo Provincial Government loilo Provincial Capitol Regional Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (RCAT-VAWC)