The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Philippines is constructing a new building at 'The Haven for Women,' a temporary shelter for women who are victims of gender-based violence, located in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. This initiative aims to provide better services and support to the facility's residents.
In a statement, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan announced that the project involves a 290-square-meter, single-story multi-purpose building designed to provide much-needed additional living space for the facility, which is operated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The new building has been allocated PHP 9.65 million (approximately 225 million Korean Won) for Phase 1 under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). This amount is in addition to the total PHP 29.34 million (approximately 680 million Korean Won) already allocated for construction and rehabilitation projects completed at The Haven from 2022 to 2024.
Secretary Bonoan added, "This new building is designed to be Persons With Disabilities (PWD)-friendly and is expected to become a comfortable living space that promotes healing, growth, and empowerment through improved ventilation, lighting, and insulation." He also mentioned that the facility can serve as an evacuation center during disasters and other emergencies.
This building improvement project is being implemented by the DPWH Las Piñas-Muntinlupa District Engineering Office, highlighting the commitment of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s administration to advocate for women's rights and create a safe environment, especially for women vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
'The Haven for Women' is one of the key social service facilities under the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It aims to provide a safe refuge and comprehensive support to women who are victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), human trafficking, and other forms of abuse and exploitation. Beyond being just a temporary place to stay, it serves as a rehabilitation center to help affected women heal from physical and psychological wounds and reintegrate into society.
The services offered extend beyond mere housing. Psychological counseling and trauma therapy are essential for alleviating the mental distress experienced by victimized women and helping them regain emotional stability. Legal assistance aids in the legal processes for prosecuting perpetrators and seeking compensation for damages, contributing to the realization of justice. Furthermore, vocational training and skills development help women achieve economic independence and provide a foundation for returning to society and starting new lives. Comprehensive and integrated support, including medical services and educational assistance, focuses on enabling women to achieve full recovery and self-sufficiency.
The DPWH's construction of this new building is a positive sign that the Philippine government is continuously addressing the issue of violence against women. In particular, the PWD-friendly design and its potential use as a disaster evacuation center are significant advancements that enhance the facility's functionality and inclusivity. Such expansion of physical infrastructure is a crucial step to ensure that victimized women can focus on their recovery in a safer and more comfortable environment.
However, constructing a new building alone cannot solve all problems. The ultimate goal of facilities like 'The Haven for Women' is to help victimized women return to society as healthy members. This requires not only psychological, legal, and economic support but also parallel efforts in improving societal awareness and preventing violence. It is crucial to spread the understanding that gender-based violence is not an individual problem but a societal one, strengthen prevention education, and establish accessible systems where victims can seek help.
Furthermore, continuous expansion of human resources and budget necessary for facility operations is also important. Personnel such as professional counselors, social workers, and medical staff are essential for providing tailored support to victimized women, and their capacity building must also be consistently pursued. Only through sustained interest and support from the government, civil society organizations, and the general public can facilities like 'The Haven for Women' fully perform their roles and create a society where all women can live safely and with dignity.
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