Hiring of women as barangay ‘tanod’ backed

MANILA, Philippines — A party list lawmaker on Tuesday backed the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) move encouraging the hiring of female barangay “tanod” or public safety officers, saying it would make villages more effective and responsive in handling cases involving women and children.

Bicol Saro party list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan, a former DILG assistant secretary, lauded Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.’s inclusion of a provision in his June 26 Memorandum Circular 2024-086 pushing for the recruitment of women as barangay public safety officers.

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“To promote gender equality, women empowerment and participation, it is highly encouraged to recruit women to serve as Barangay Tanod. Moreover, recruitment should not be discriminatory as to the gender and sexuality of the volunteer,” Abalos said.

“Complaints in which women and children are the victims, such as those involving abuse and violence, are better handled by female barangay public safety officers or tanod,” Yamsuan said. “Women are as capable as men in keeping peace and order in our communities.” —Jeannette I. Andrade