The Provincial Council Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (PCAT-VAWC) convened a special meeting in a hybrid setup today, July 9, 2026 bringing together council members and partner agencies both onsite and via Zoom to discuss key initiatives aimed at enhancing the province’s response to violence against women and children.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the orientation on the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) Guide Questions, which will be used during the conduct of FGDs in identified barangays and municipalities across the province. The orientation sought to ensure a standardized understanding and implementation of the FGD process among stakeholders, thereby bolstering the quality of data gathering and strengthening service delivery mechanisms in addressing cases of violence against women and children.
As part of the initiative, the Municipality of Oton will serve as the pilot Local Government Unit (LGU) for the conduct of the FGD on July 29, 2026. The pilot implementation is expected to provide valuable insights that will guide the roll-out of the activity in other municipalities in Iloilo province.
The initiative underscores the Iloilo Provincial Government’s continuing commitment, through the PCAT-VAWC, to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and support evidence-based policies, programs, and interventions that promote the protection, welfare, and rights of women and children.