(Image courtesy of Davao CIO)
DAVAO CITY – The city government has reconstituted the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI), an internal body that will handle sexual harassment reports within the local government's institutions.
Execute Order (EO) No. 12, released earlier this week, cited the Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act No. 11313), which obligates local governments to "prevent, deter, or punish the performance of acts of sexual harassment." It mandates the creation of an internal mechanism to deal with "gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace."
"The committee's primary function is to receive complaints of sexual harassment, investigate sexual harassment cases through lawful procedure, and protect the welfare of a complainant," the City Information Office (CIO) said in a statement Wednesday.
CODI is chaired by the head of the Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) and vice-chaired by the city legal officer.
Committee members include the head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the head of the Human Resource Management Office, and two representatives from the Davao City Hall Employees Association.
The EO also mandates the IGDD, the body's secretariat, to take charge of proceedings and record-keeping.
"Within 10 days of the conclusion of a case, the committee is tasked to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the City Mayor's Office," CIO said.
The committee is also mandated to raise awareness of gender-based harassment and promote gender egalitarianism by leading "in the conduct of discussions about sexual harassment within the city government."
Further, the order requires that the committee ensure the complainant is protected from retaliation or any disadvantage regarding benefits or job security. (PNA)
