CAGAYAN de Oro City Councilor Joyleen Mercedes "Girlie" Balaba will push for the creation of five special legal counsels that would provide free legal services to women who are victims of abuse.
Balaba announced this during the weekly flag raising at the City Hall, saying she will replicate the same initiative currently implemented in Davao City.
"Sa mga kababayen-an nga biktima sa pagpang-abuso, kanang mga gibiyaan sa bana nga wala nihatag ug sustento (For women who are victims of abuse and left and not supported by their husbands)," she said.
Balaba said this will specifically target the working-class women whose salary is only enough for the everyday needs.
"Naa man sa Public Attorney's Office (PAO), pero required nga naa kay certificate of indigency from barangays (There is the PAO, but a certificate of indigency from the barangays is required). If you don't have a certificate, dili ka (you're not) eligible for the services of PAO. So this special body will serve the middle-income women," she said.
Balaba also wants to pass an anti-discrimination ordinance for the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, and Transgender+ (LGBT+) community.
Balaba shared to the City Hall employees that she is taking notes from President Rodrigo Duterte himself on how to pass an ordinance.
"Ingon dayon siya sa akoa, naunsa man ka, diba giingnan taka magbasa ka ug parliamentary rules? (President Rodrigo Duterte then asked me, 'What happened to you. I told you to read parliamentary rules')," Balaba said, quoting Duterte.
"So give me time, I may be remiss in my job, but naningkamot jud ko nga kung unsa akong giingon atong kampanya, ako jud tumanon. Ayaw mo kabalaka kay dili lang ang katawhan sa dakbayan ang mangasaba sa akoa, kay naay usa ka tawo nga hadlok gyud kaayo ko makasab-an ko. Ug every now and then, ginamonitor ko if I am really doing my job," she added.
(So give me time, I may be remiss in my job, but I'm really working hard to fulfill the promises I made during the campaign period. Don't worry, as the city residents are not the only ones scolding me; there is the President whom I'm really afraid of. And every now and then, he monitors me if I am really doing my job.)
Balaba was chosen to head the committees of social services and labor and employment of the City Council.