In line with the celebration of Women’s Month, Akbayan Partylist Representative Perci Cendaña today filed House Resolution No. 2247 seeking to designate March as the “Bawal Bastos Awareness Month” and urging the PCW to conduct a Compliance Audit of public and private establishments on whether they effectively abide by the Safe Spaces Act.
“2025 na. Hindi na dapat uso ang pambabastos sa kababaihan at sa iba pang kasarian. Bawal ang bastos sa kalye, sa opisina, sa social media, at lalo na sa gobyerno. Dapat ligtas ang lahat, saan man sila magpunta—walang excuse, walang palusot!” the Akbayan Representative said.
The proposed indicators of the PCW audit shall include the conduct of public awareness campaigns and anti-sexual harassment seminars, distribution of educational modules, and enforcement of VAWC desks, among others.
“Through this resolution, we hope to raise awareness and cultivate a culture of gender-sensitivity and safe spaces. Dahil hindi dapat seasonal ang respeto at lalong hindi pwedeng may VIP pass ang mga bastos!” he added.
“Hindi lang ngayong March bawal ang mga bastos, kundi araw-araw dapat,” Cendaña said.
The party championed the legislative milestone in both chambers of the Congress, with Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros as its principal author and sponsor in the Senate. It was also principally authored by Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin in the House in 2018.