MANILA -- Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday pledged to enhance the city's response to violence against women (VAW) by installing more closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and improving its 24-hour emergency hotline.
"Bawat sulok ng Quezon City ay dapat may (Every corner of Quezon City should have a) CCTV camera -- every single nook and cranny -- because that is the only way we can combat criminality and ensure our women live in peace and harmony," Belmonte said in her speech during the Quezon City Women's Convention held at the Quezon City hall grounds.
She also vowed to enhance the 24-hour emergency hotline in Quezon City, “122”, saying it is an effective way to provide immediate response to emergencies, just like in Davao City.
"In Quezon City, we have ‘122’ for different emergencies pero hindi pa ito ganu'n kapulido (but this isn’t that perfect yet). We still have to enhance it so that we can make sure that every concern is immediately addressed and everyone who encounters mishaps in Quezon City can access it anytime," she added.
Belmonte also cited the city's anti-catcalling ordinance, urging women to report to authorities whenever they hear catcalls.
"Alam ko may iba sa atin na pinapalampas na lang ang mga ganoong insidente dahil natatakot na maghain ng reklamo. Pero dito sa Quezon City, mayroon na tayong napakulong dahil sa catcalling kaya huwag na kayong matakot dahil nandiyan ang batas para sumuporta sa inyo (I know there are those among us who just ignore such incidents because they are afraid to file a complaint. But here in Quezon City, we have already detained some persons for catcalls. So don’t be afraid because the law is there to support you)," she said.
Quezon City was recently awarded by the Philippine Commission on Women for its gender-responsive governance and comprehensive programs on gender and development. (PNA)
