Republic of the Philippines

PROVINCE OF AURORA
MUNICIPALITY OF DILASAG
-oOo-

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL MAYOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2021-018-A

February 23,2021

GUIDELINES ON THE REFERRAL SYSTEM AND SUBMISSION OF

REPORTS FOR THE CASES OF WEDC, CNSP AND CICL FROM THE
BARANGAYS, NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION, PEOPLE’S
ORGANIZATION AND FAITH BASED ORGANIZATION TO APPROPRIATE
AGENCIES.

WHEREAS, Section 54 of R.A 9262 mandates the development of guidelines

on the Establishment of Referral System on Violence against Women and
their Children at the Local Government Unit Level.
WHEREAS, the referral system at the local government aims to have an
integrated and coordinated community response to Women Especial
Protection (CNSP) and Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL).
WHEREAS, victor-survivors usually come to the attention of barangay and
people’s organization seeking for help and submission of reports to the
municipal level is necessary for the consolidation of cases and augmentation
of possible assistance.
WHEREAS, the Local Government Unit of Dilasag recognizes the importance
of referral system in order to promote the effective response to victim-
survivors of WEDC, CNSP, and Children at Risk.
NOW THEREFORE I, JOE P. GOROSPE, Municipality of Dilasag, by virtue of
the powers vested in me by law, do hereby orders the promulgation of the
following guidelines in the referral system and submission of reports of cases
of WEDC, CNSP and CICL.

SECTION 1. RATIONALE
The need for coordination is highlighted by the fact that women and
children who are victims-survivors of violence have various needs. Rarely
can a single facility, individual or agency/organization provide all the services
to meet these needs. Meeting these needs such as physical health,
psychosocial well-being, economic security and legal protection, requires the
coordinated efforts of several agencies through the establishment of an
efficient and effective referral system.
An integrated, multidisciplinary approach is imperative as borne by the
need for coordination and the performance standards of the various
government agencies with mandates to provide protection and support to
VAW victims-survivors. Everyone should work towards developing the
women’s capacities to have control over their lives and be able to decide
their own future. For a holistic and timely response, the multidisciplinary
team shall be located at the local government units, primarily at the
municipal levels which are mandated under the Local Government Code to
provide basic social services to women and children.
SECTION 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS
2.1 Children at Risk (CAR) – Refers to a child who is vulnerable to and
at the risk of committing criminal offenses because of personal,
family and social circumstances.
2.2 Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) – refers to a child who
is alleged as, accused of, or adjudged as, having committed an
offense under Philippine laws.
2.3 Children in Need of Special Protection (CNSP) – refer to all
persons below 18 years of age, or those 18 years old and over but
are unable to take care of themselves because of physical or mental
disability condition; who are vulnerable to or are victims of abuse,
neglect, exploitation, cruelty, discrimination and violence.
2.4 Faith-based organization – an organization whose values are
based on faith and/beliefs, which has a mission based on social
values of the particular faith, and which most often draws its
activists (leaders, staff, volunteers) from a particular faith group.
2.5 Focal Person – refers to the individual in the agency/organization
who is responsible in the processing of referrals efficiently and
expeditiously such as tracking and documenting referrals and
attending network meetings. She may also be the case manager.
2.6 Non-government organization- is a non-profit, citizen-based
group that functions independently of government. NGOs,
sometimes called civil societies, are organized on community,
national and international levels to serve specific social or political
purposes, and a cooperative, rather than commercial, in nature.
2.7 People’s organization – are established by and represent sectors
of the population that directly address their immediate concerns.
2.8 Receiving Agencies – is the agency/ organization to which the
victim is referred for services
2.9 Referral – is the process by which the immediate needs of the
victim are assessed and are helped to gain access to a
comprehensive and supportive service provided by various
agencies/organizations.
2.10 Referral System – is a cooperative framework through which
government agencies carry out their obligations to protect and
promote the human rights of victims-survivors of violence,
coordinating their efforts in strategic partnership with NGO/FBOs
and civil society as a whole.
2.11 Victim-survivor – refers to a woman or a child who has suffered
gender-based violence.
2.12 Women Especially in Difficult Circumstances (WEDC) – women
in hazardous situations or underprivileged status such as victims of
abuse and violence and armed conflicts, victims of prostitution,
“illegal recruitment,” human trafficking” and female prisoners.
SECTION 3. OBJECTIVES OF THE GUIDELINES ON THE REFERRAL
SYSTEM AND SUBMISSION OF REPORT
3.1 . General Objectives
To provide the highest quality of care and treatment, assistance
and protection to victims-survivor of violence and children at risk.
3.2 . Specific Objective
3.2.1 Facilitate the provision of services to meet the various needs
of victim-survivors and children at risk and ensure their
recovery and reintegration
3.2.2 Establish a feedback mechanism between and among
concerned agencies to ensure that requested services are
provided.
3.2.3 Make possible the exchange of knowledge, skills, practices and
experiences geared towards enhancing capacities of service
providers
3.2.4 Achieve a more rational use of financial and human resources
for more efficient and effective delivery of services.

SECTION 4. DESIGNATION OF FOCAL PERSON/VAW DESK OFFICER AT

EACH ORGANIZATION
There shall be a designated focal person or VAW Desk Officer at each
barangay, non-government organization, people’s organization and faith-
based organization and social service and welfare and development
agencies. The designated focal person is responsible for processing of
referrals efficiently and expeditiously, attending referral network meetings
and preparation of submission of reports. She will perform the responsibility
of case manager and provide the immediate need of the clients.
SECTION 5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF DESIGNATED FOCAL
PERSON FOR THE CASES OF WEDC AND CNSP
5.1 . At the Barangay Level
5.1.1 Interview the victim-survivor and the witnesses to determine the
facts and inform the victim-survivor of her rights and remedies.
The interview must be done in a child-friendly and gender
sensitive manner with a non-judgmental and non-blaming
attitude towards the women and her children.
5.1.2 The victim-survivor and her children, if any, must feel safe in a
secure place where they have privacy and separate from the
perpetrator.
5.1.3 Transfer or escort woman and her children to the nearest
hospital or available medical facility for treatment and medico-
legal examination.
5.1.4 In the event that the woman and her children wish to be placed
in a shelter or a safe place of their choice, the barangay official
shall assist them in taking their personal belongings and taking
her children and transfer them in a safe place of shelter.
5.1.5 In accordance with the IRR of RA 9262, report shall be made to
MSWDO within four (4) hours from the time of reporting as well
 as to the PNP’s Women and Children’s Desk within the same
period.
5.2 . At the Non-governmental Organizations
Most NGOs involved in women’s rights advocacy also provide
direct services for victims-survivors of violence. In some instances, they
partner with government agencies or other NGOs/FBOs. They have
comprehensive programs for the recovery and reintegration of the survivors
managed by trained social workers and other staff members.
5.2.1 Ensure that the victim survivor is safe and comfortable, giving
her time to rest and be psychologically stable;
5.2.2 Conduct intake interview and assess the immediate needs of the
victim-survivor such as medical treatment and temporary
shelter;
5.2.3 Inform the victim-survivor about her rights as a victim and the
services available to her children;
5.2.4 Work out with the victim survivor an initial plan for recovery and
reintegration which must be reviewed periodically to assess
progress of make adjustments; and
5.2.5 With the consent of victim-survivor, make referrals to the LEA for
filling of complaint, to the PAO for counseling or MSWDO; or to
contact family members or other significant persons for help and
support.

5.3 At the People’s Organization and Faith-based Organization

5.3.1 The victim survivor is made comfortable and assured of her

safety before the initial interview. Be sensitive to her need for
water, food or appropriate clothing.
5.3.2 Validate the accuracy of the information and immediately assist
and refer the victim-survivor to the Office of the Barangay or the
MSWDO for appropriate assistance.
SECTION 6. REFERRAL OF CICL CASES FROM THE BARANGAY LEVEL,
NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION, PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATION AND
FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION
6.1 From the time that the case comes to their knowledge, it should
be referred immediately to the Municipal Social Welfare and
Development Officer (MSWDO) and the Law Enforcement Officer (LEO)
for the proper proceeding. The Barangay should adhere with the
protocol of managing of CICL and CAR especially the initial contact
with them.
6.2 The LEO together with the Municipal Social Welfare and
Development Office (MSWDO) will do their duties and responsibility as
indicated in R.A. 9344 such as determination of discernment; assess
the availability of parents/guardians and the safety of the child;
referral to prosecutor for preliminary investigation; and referral to
Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) for integration
and diversion program. The BCPC must perform their duties and
 responsibilities in implementing integration and diversion program for
the reintegration of the child in the community.

SECTION 7. PARTICIPATION ON THE NETWORK MEETINGS

The designated focal persons/VAW Desk officers shall regularly attend
in the quarterly meetings facilitated by the Municipal Social Welfare and
Development Office. They must have knowledge on cases needed for the
discussion for the provision of technical assistance or in any other forms.

SECTION 8. PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF REPORTS

8.1 The designated focal person in the barangays, people’s organization,
non-government organization and faith-based organization should
prepare and submit report to MSWDO every first Friday of the first month
of every quarter using the prescribed reporting forms.
8.2 The MSWDO consolidates reports from different receiving agencies
and submits to PSWDO every last Friday of the first month of every
quarter.

SECTION 9. EFFECTIVITY. This order shall take effect immediately upon

signing of the Head of Agency and shall remain in full force and effect unless
sooner revoked or suspended.

Done this 23rd of February, 2021 in Dilasag, Aurora.

JOE P. GOROSPE
Municipal Mayor