Inspired by an experience that he described as both heart-wrenching and heartwarming, former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson vowed to continue championing the welfare of women and children by strengthening the mechanisms to protect them – starting with the formula used by Misamis Occidental.
Lacson said he will prioritize the institutionalization by way of legislation – as well as funding – of refugee centers for children who are victims of sexual abuse and violence.
“Kung sakaling mabigyan po ako ng pagkakataong muli na makapaglingkod bilang Senador ng taumbayan sa 2025, maaasahan po ninyo na ang inyong abang lingkod ay inyong magiging katulong o tulay upang itaguyod ang kapakanan ng mga kababaihan at kabataan (If I am given a chance to serve as a senator in 2025, you can rest assured I will be your bridge in championing the welfare of our women and children),” he said Sunday afternoon at a program in Oroquieta City, as the Misamis Occidental Provincial Government marked its 95th anniversary with a campaign to end violence against women and children.
Related: Karanasang ‘Heart-Wrenching and Heartwarming,’ Inspirasyon ni Ping para Lalong Itaguyod ng Kapakanan ng Kababaihan at Kabataan
Earlier, Lacson assisted Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry S. Oaminal in the blessing and formal opening of a refugee center building in Aloran that houses at least 18 children who are victims of sexual abuse and violence.
He noted the children – the youngest of whom is six years old – are provided with care and psychological treatment, formal education, and legal assistance to ensure the conviction of the offenders.
“Talagang (It was really) heart-wrenching and heartwarming at the same time,” Lacson said.
Lacson noted such an endeavor by Misamis Occidental using only the province’s local revenues is worth replicating nationwide.
“My heart goes out to the victims who I saw in the refugee center, even as I laud the initiative and efforts of Gov. Oaminal and the provincial government in collaboration with the entire government machinery in the province like the prosecutor’s office, judiciary, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development to make this laudable program a reality in spite of initial challenges owing to the influence, wealth and power of some offenders and the hopeless and resigned attitude of the poor victims,” he said.
“I think it is worth trying to institutionalize by way of supporting this kind of endeavor in all LGUs in all 82 provinces in the entire country, with the assistance of the national government,” he added.
Lacson shares the provincial government’s vision to protect the welfare of the “sectors that touch the softest parts of our hearts,” even during his days as a law enforcer when he witnessed “the worst of humanity” – or crimes against women and children.
As a budget watchdog in the Senate, Lacson had pushed institutional amendments that transferred questionable allocations to programs for the protection of women and children.
“As I have consistently upheld in all of my personal and professional life, my credo remains: Ang tama ay ipaglaban, ang mali ay labanan (What is right must be kept right, what is wrong must be set right),” he added.
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Karanasang ‘Heart-Wrenching and Heartwarming,’ Inspirasyon ni Ping para Lalong Itaguyod ng Kapakanan ng Kababaihan at Kabataan
Para kay dating Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, naging inspirasyon ang isang karanasang sabay nakakadurog at nakakataba ng puso para itutuloy niyang ipaglalaban ang kapakanan ng kababaihan at kabataan sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalakas ng mekanismo para protektahan sila.
Ani Lacson, uunahin niya ang pagsasabatas ng pagtayo at pagpondo ng mga refugee center para sa mga kabataang naging biktima ng sexual abuse at violence, gamit ang formula ng Misamis Occidental.
“Kung sakaling mabigyan po ako ng pagkakataong muli na makapaglingkod bilang Senador ng taumbayan sa 2025, maaasahan po ninyo na ang inyong abang lingkod ay inyong magiging katulong o tulay upang itaguyod ang kapakanan ng mga kababaihan at kabataan,” diin niya sa programa nitong Linggo sa Oroquieta City, kung saan inilunsad ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Misamis Occidental ang kampanya para tuldukan ang karahasan laban sa kababaihan at kabataan sa ika-95 anibersaryo nito.
Bago ang talumpati, tumulong si Lacson kay Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry S. Oaminal sa blessing at pagbukas ng refugee center sa Aloran na kakalinga sa hindi bababa sa 18 bata na naging biktima ng sexual abuse at violence.
Sa refugee center, tatanggap ang mga biktima – na ang pinakabata ay anim na taong gulang lamang – ng pag-aalaga at psychological treatment, pormal na edukasyon, at tulong para tiyakin ang pag-convict sa mga nagkasala.
“Talagang (It was really) heart-wrenching and heartwarming at the same time,” ani Lacson.
Ani Lacson, dapat gayahin sa buong bansa ang formula ng Misamis Occidental, kung saan lokal na kita ang ginagamit para pondohan ang refugee center.
“My heart goes out to the victims who I saw in the refugee center, even as I laud the initiative and efforts of Gov. Oaminal and the provincial government in collaboration with the entire government machinery in the province like the prosecutor’s office, judiciary, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development to make this laudable program a reality in spite of initial challenges owing to the influence, wealth and power of some offenders and the hopeless and resigned attitude of the poor victims,” ani Lacson.
“I think it is worth trying to institutionalize by way of supporting this kind of endeavor in all LGUs in all 82 provinces in the entire country, with the assistance of the national government,” dagdag niya.
Todo suporta si Lacson sa layunin ng pamahalaang panlalawigan na protektahan ang kapakanan ng mga sektor na ito. Aniya, kahit noong nasa law enforcement pa siya ay nasaksihan niya ang “worst of humanity” – o ang krimen laban sa kababaihan at kabataan.
Bilang bantay ng kaban ng bayan sa Senado, itinulak ni Lacson ang mga institutional amendment kung saan nililipat ang mga kwestyunableng alokasyon para dagdagan ang pondo ng programa para sa proteksyon ng kababaihan at kabataan.
“As I have consistently upheld in all of my personal and professional life, my credo remains: Ang tama ay ipaglaban, ang mali ay labanan (What is right must be kept right, what is wrong must be set right),” he added.
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