The Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Development (DOH Bicol) in coordination with partner stakeholders for mental health, discussed various relevant data, concerns, and updates during the Symposium on Violence Prevention on May 9, 2024 in Legazpi City.
The activity is a collaboration of the violence injury prevention program (VIPP) and mental health program of DOH Bicol CHD.
In her message, Dr. Rosa Maria B. Rempillo, OIC Assistant Regional Director, emphasized the role of concerned agencies, educators, and guidance counselors in battling interpersonal violence within educational institutions.
“Your direct intervention and service is crucial in the development of both cultural and social behaviors of our learners, aiding to reduce aggressive acts and behaviors,” Dr. Rempillo said.
P/MAJ Maylene P. Quilla, Chief of the Women and Children Protection Desk of the Philippine National Police (PNP), revealed that a total of 456 cases of violence against women (VAW), violence against children (VAC), and gender-based violence (GBV) were recorded as of March 2024. Further, 100 cases of self-inflicted incidents were recorded in the region as of April 30, 2024.
Further, Ms. Dianne S. Rubios, Regional Learner Rights and Protection Alternate Focal Person of the Department of Education (DepEd), disclosed that the majority of the Learner Rights and Protection (LRP) incidents in the region were child abuse, followed by bullying.
Ms. Julie Ann Legaspi-Granadino, Senior Health Program Officer of DOH Bicol has laid out current VIPP strategies to be implemented and offered by the department to address and prevent violence, bullying, and self-inflicted injuries within the educational institutions.
Dr. Ellaine Romano, Medical Specialist II of Bicol Medical Center had a talk on the effects of violence on children and adults.
Ms. Windalyn Baluis, Mental Health Regional Program Manager of DOH Bicol, shared various experiences and inputs of partners in battling mental health, and incidents of violence and injuries.
The said activity aimed to be an avenue for learning about and understanding the critical challenges of the program. Also to foster partnerships and develop multi-sectoral actions to further address the looming threat of violence and mental health challenges experienced by learners in various spaces, including the educational institutions.
Present in the symposium were over 100 guidance counselors and educators from Albay and Sorsogon DepEd Schools Division, and representatives from national government agencies which was hosted by Ms. Keren Anne V. Bernadas from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
(Source: DOH Bicol CHD)