The Philippine Statistics Authority XII kicked-off the observance of 2023 National Women’s Month Celebration with a lecture on Republic Act No. 1113 or the Safe Spaces Act, also known as Bawal Bastos Law, from two resource persons from the Commission on Human Rights  (CHR) XII and Civil Service Commission (CSC) XII. The virtual activity was conducted last 06 March 2023 and was participated by the PSA RSSO XII staff and employees including the members of the GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) in the PSA Provincial Offices.

Meanwhile, Atty. Shiela Mae B. Basadre, Attorney VI of the CSC XII presented the Legal Actions Addressing RA 11313. In her presentation, she said that when an act is committed in violation of the law, the offended party can file a complaint to the agency’s Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI). But when the offender is member of the CODI, the offended party can directly file it to the CSC or to the court. She also discussed the prescribed penalties on gender-based sexual harassment in streets, public spaces, online platforms, workplaces, and educational or training institutions.

According to CSC XII and CHR XII, there are no cases yet filed in Region XII that the agencies handled or assisted as of the date of the lecture.

On the other hand, in recognition to the great women in PSA XII, an award was given to the Most Favorite Woman in PSA RSSO XII. The top favorite woman in the office was Ms. Ma. Eileen A. Berdeprado, Chief Statistical Specialist of SOCD. According to the employees, she was the top favorite because of her good leadership style, humbleness, and is very approachable.

They presented their agency’s plans and programs/activities to mitigate the rising price inflation of major commodities in SOCCSKSARGEN Region.

The activity was participated by various regional line agencies, academe, LGUs, and private sector.