As part of its mandate to provide  technical assistance to local government units (LGUs), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to work with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) of Iloilo City  by providing appropriate help and by monitoring the condition of a 27-year-old woman with special needs who was reportedly molested by two men in Barangay Sinikway, La Paz.

One of the suspects, a senior citizen, is now detained in La Paz Police Station, while the other is still at large.

Based on the report furnished by the CSWDO to DSWD-Field Office VI,  the victim’s family was given counseling and guidance for the proper care and protection of persons with special needs. The family was also assisted  in availing the Persons with Disability identification card (ID) from the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO).

In addition, the CSWDO will conduct a monthly monitoring on the victim and her family since it was reported that the victim previously experienced sexual molestation sometime in 2015 and last March of this year.

DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo is alarmed of the grave disrespect experienced by persons with mental disability and physical defects. She said that much has to be done to inform the greatest number of Filipinos regarding the rights of PWDs and to ensure that these same rights are respected.

“Although it is the main responsibility of the DSWD to care for the welfare of persons with special needs, all Filipinos must still help in protecting them from discrimination or any form of abuse. We strongly condemn acts of violence and neglect against PWDs and will push for changes to empower them and make them productive members of  society,” said Sec. Taguiwalo.

Sec. Taguiwalo also appealed to other government agencies to put together programs and implement policies that uphold the rights of PWD and enable them to find more if and when they can. #