In conjunction with the conclusion of the month-long Women’s Month celebration, Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito today(March 31) led the blessing and inauguration of the Nueva Vizcaya Halfway Home for Women and Children (NVHHWG). The blessing of the structure was conducted by Pastor Roger Angyab.
According to Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) Officer Flordelina C. Granada, the NVHHWG building was formerly the office of the Nueva Vizcaya Teachers Retirees Association (NVTERA). It has been refurbished with a budget of one million pesos from the provincial government.
The NVHHWG, established by the provincial government, will serve as a drop-in center or temporary shelter. It aims to provide protection, support, and treatment to abused women and children in the province who are victims of domestic violence, trafficking, sexual assault, and harassment. Granada explained that the facility is intended as a drop-in center or temporary shelter only. Victims can also be referred to the Regional Haven for a longer stay or reintegrated into their families, provided the offender is not present.
Governor Gambito described the establishment of NVHHWG as “a milestone for women and children who have been victims of abuse.” He instructed the PSWD to assist victims in recovering from the trauma of their experiences, emphasizing that if they do not recover, “it will be a burden they carry for the rest of their lives.” The governor also appealed to members of faith-based organizations to offer spiritual guidance to the victims. Additionally, he mentioned that he could provide legal advice to the victims whenever he is available.
For the past year, cases of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) have been high in Nueva Vizcaya. However, according to Granada, there was a slight decrease in 2024. While the number of cases remains high, this may be partly attributed to the increased awareness among women about their rights, leading them to stand up and fight for themselves. /RMI
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