Women-councilors of Davao City on Tuesday condemned the sexual harassment of a senior high school student by a taxi driver, calling on concerned agencies to strengthen gender sensitivity training for public transport drivers and intensify information campaigns on the Safe Spaces Act.
Committee on Human Rights Chairperson Pamela Librado-Morata raised the issue during her privilege speech, saying the body-shaming remarks, sexual comments, suggestions, and insinuations made by the driver caused fear, distress, and humiliation to the victim, who should have been safe while riding public transport.
Librado-Morata said the driver’s actions clearly fall under gender-based sexual harassment on streets and public spaces, as defined under Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11313, also known as the Safe Spaces Act or the Bawal Bastos Law. The law penalizes gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces, online platforms, workplaces, and educational or training institutions.
She noted that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has already issued a show-cause order against the 54-year-old driver. While recognizing this as part of the agency’s regulatory duty, she urged the LTFRB to strengthen its monitoring of taxi operators and ensure that drivers have clean records and show proper conduct, courtesy, and respect toward passengers at all times.
“We likewise call on the LTFRB and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to consider this incident for policy reflection and to require mandatory gender sensitivity training for transport operators and drivers prior to the issuance or approval of licenses, should this not yet be fully integrated into their respective Gender and Development (GAD) plans,” Librado-Morata added.
She also urged the Integrated Gender Development Division to provide psychological assistance to the victim and assist in filing the appropriate criminal case to ensure immediate support for the victim and her family.
Librado-Morata said that in fulfilling Davao City’s obligations to implement the Bawal Bastos Law, victims are not only encouraged to speak up but are also assured that their complaints will not be met with silence, indifference, or inaction.
“We send clear message that the gender-based sexual harassment has no place in our city and the perpetrators will be held fully accountable, under the law,” she said.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of the Committee on Women, Children, and Family Relations, Councilor Richlyn Justol-Baguillod, also called for an intensified campaign against gender-based harassment in public transport.
“I call on the transport agencies, operators, agencies, operators, and local governments to intensify information campaigns on safe spaces and child protection laws. We must ensure that the public transport remains a place for, safety, dignity, and trust,” she said. CIO
