‘Punong brgy may face raps for ignorance of the law’

By Ernie Delgado

LEGAZPI CITY --- Barangay captains may face administrative liability under a law protecting abused women for failing to fulfill their duties, including issuing protection orders and adhering to the law’s prohibitions, according to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in the Bicol region.

During a media briefing on violence against women, CHR Regional Director Arlene Alangco stressed that barangay captains must protect the rights of victims under the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act and should not undermine those rights.

“Makikita kung nagagawa nila ang kanilang responsibilidad sa pag-issue ng barangay protection order (BPO),” she remarked at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas held in Legazpi City on Dec. 10. (One indicator of their fulfillment of their responsibility is the issuance of a BPO.)

Alangco explained that the barangay captain should promptly receive any complaints and issue a BPO within 24 hours.

“Ibig sabihin, if today nag-apply ng BPO ang isang biktima, ngayon din po i-issue ng barangay captain yung BPO. Hindi pwedeng bukas na lang dahil absent si kapitan, or bukas na lang kasi kailangan si kapitan sa binyagan,” she explained. (This means that if a victim applies for a BPO today, the barangay captain must issue it today as well. It cannot be postponed to tomorrow simply because the captain is absent or has another commitment.)

She also pointed out certain prohibited actions that barangay captains must avoid when dealing with BPO applications.

According to her, the barangay captain is not allowed to conduct mediation or reconciliation between parties involved.

“Hindi po nya pwedeng pagkasunduin yung mag-asawa, or yung dalawang parties hindi nya pwedeng pagharapin,” she added. (They cannot force the spouses or the two parties to meet or reconcile.)

Furthermore, barangay captains must not unduly influence victims to abandon the reliefs they seek under the VAWC law.

Engaging in such acts can lead to administrative cases, with potential sanctions ranging from suspension to disqualification from public service, she warned.

Alangco mentioned that the CHR conducts seminars on domestic protection laws due to the lack of understanding among many barangay captains and community members regarding the mechanisms and remedies available to them.

She cited an example from a remote community in Camarines Sur, where the village head had never issued a BPO.

“The barangay captain was already in his second term, yet he had never issued a BPO—not because his community was peaceful, but because the constituents were unaware that such a mechanism existed,” she explained.

“So mismong female participants nagreklamo na hindi nila alam meron palang BPO na pwede i-avail,” she added. (Some female participants even expressed their frustration, stating they had no knowledge that a BPO was available for them to avail of.)

Alangco stressed the importance of having a functional VAW desk and a sexual harassment desk in every barangay.

“Kailangan pong functional sya in such a way na pag may pumuntang biktima may makikitang tao, hindi lang desk. Hindi porke VAW desk ay desk lang at walang taong nagmamando,” she said. (It is essential that these desks are not just empty desks; there should be staff available to assist victims who come for help.) (PIA Bicol/Masbate)

Commission on Human Rights Regional Director Arlene Alangco (in orange shirt, front row) leads Bicol journalists in making the “STOP VAW” hand gesture during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas media briefing in Legazpi City on December 10, 2025. This gesture symbolizes solidarity during the annual 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, held from November 25 to December 12.