ORANGE GLOW. At precisely 7:15 p.m. of November 25, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and Department of Tourism – Central Visayas OIC Judy dela Cruz Gabato lead the ceremonial lighting of the Provincial Capitol Building for the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women. Gabato says DOT and the Philippine Commission on Women decided on the color orange to signify “a brighter and VAW-free Philippines.”(CDN PHOTO/MOREXETTE ERRAM)
Orange-colored lights bathed the Provincial Capitol building and grounds to mark the launching of the Cebu leg of the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) last Friday evening.
The nationwide campaign is spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women who partnered with the provincial government and the regional Department of Tourism (DOT-7) to launch the activity at the Capitol’s Social Hall.
DOT acting chief Judy dela Cruz Gabato said their office officiated ceremonial lighting of tourist spots and landmarks around the country to help raise awareness of the campaign, which runs from Nov. 25 to Dec. 12.
“In fully implementing this campaign, we need the help of the provincial government and the support of the governor. We submitted different locations to our office in Manila and this (Capitol Building) was chosen,” Gabato said.
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III (fourth from right) and regional tourism official Judy dela Cruz Gabato (fifth from left) pose with some provincial officials after the lighting on Friday. (CDN PHOTO/MOREXETTE MARIE ERRAM)
She said their office made sure that their campaigns will also help effect social change.
“We hope that the campaign will not be restricted to 18 days only but will also continue and so on,” Gabato said.
Among those who attended the ceremonial lighting were Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and representatives of the Consul of South Korea.
Davide cited police records that showed a 500 percent increase in the reported number of cases involving domestic violence in the last 16 years.
“The increase does not necessarily mean a rise in the number of cases, but the trend also suggests that more Filipinos are speaking up and reporting abuse since awareness on laws and services may be rising, which may, for me, be a good thing,” he said.
Davide told reporters that violence against women is not only a crime “but a violation of human rights,” and the campaign needs public support to eliminate it.