Demonstrating a strong commitment to strengthening the advocacy against trafficking and violence against women and their children, the functionality assessment of the Local Committees against Trafficking and Violence against Women and their Children (LCAT-VAWC) in the provinces and the Highly Urbanized City (HUC) of Region XII was recently concluded.
The Regional Inter-Agency Monitoring Team (RIMT) conducted a series of on-site assessments on the following dates and locations: June 3, 2025- Province of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato; June 4, 2025- General Santos City and the Province of Sarangani; and June 5, 2025- Province of Cotabato.
Notably, the four provinces and the HUC of Region XII displayed exemplary performance in handling, protecting, and assisting victims/ survivors, as well as in monitoring and preventing trafficking incidents and all forms of violence against women and children.
This was reflected in their comprehensive reporting, database management, proactive resolutions and ordinances, and the evident strong support and care from their respective LGUs.
Following the on-site assessments, the RIMT provided valuable insights and technical assistance, offering guidance and strategies to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of local operations and documentation.
These results were later finalized during the Post-Assessment Meeting, where the RIMTF, together with DILG focal persons and LCAT-VAWC secretariats on June 9, 2025, at the DILG Regional Office XII in Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City,
Assistant Regional Director Samuel A. Camaganacan, CE, conveyed a message of support, emphasizing:
“The LCAT-VAWC is more than just a compliance mechanism. It is a frontline body that ensures our communities are safe, inclusive, and protective of the rights of the vulnerable—especially victims and survivors of trafficking and all forms of gender-based violence. Through this gathering, we recognize that even simple innovations—like localized referral systems, capacity-building for LGUs, or survivor-centered case handling—can be scaled and shared across localities.”
Under the DILG Memorandum Circular 2023-181, the functionality levels of the local committees was based on scores garnered across key indicators: Organization, Meetings, Policies, Plan and Budget, and Accomplishment. According the results of the assessment, local committees will then be categorized as Highly Functional, Moderately Functional, Low Functional, or Non-Functional
The RIMT for this year included representatives from inter-agency groups and CSO: Jamellah C. Natangcop and Noraima E. Dalam (DSWD), Kimberly T. Tuanzon and Camille-Aisa P. Patadon (DILG), Lorie Ann L. Mendoza (DOJ), PCAPT Margie Liza Llego (PNP-PRO XII), and Sr. Joanne Llorilla, OND; Sr. Erleen Carcillar, OND; and Ruffa Grace Austero.
In conclusion, good practices were highlighted and commended. Recommendations for improvement were also considered, reinforcing the collective commitment to continuously enhance efforts toward a safer, more compassionate, and impactful implementation of protection and prevention measures against trafficking and VAWC, while supporting and adding all victims-survivors.
