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Localization of Safe Spaces Act 

Republic Act No. 11313 otherwise known as the "Safe Spaces Act (SSA)" expands the law on sexual harassment in the country to cover all of its forms including verbal, non-verbal, and physical. Further, it seeks to secure all persons, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression, from all kinds of gender-based violence and discrimination such as sexual harassment, not only in private spaces but also in public spaces.

Further, Section 8 of SSA and Section 9 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), mandate all local government units (LGUs) to prevent and respond to gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) in streets and public spaces. Further, Section 9 of SSA and Section 10 of its IRR, mandate the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to ensure the full implementation of SSA by assisting the LGUs in localizing the applicability of the law and monitoring their compliance.

Pursuant to the above, the DILG and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) issued Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2020-001 on December 7, 2020, to provide LGUs guidelines on the localization of SSA, particularly the provisions under Article | (Gender-Based Streets and Public Spaces and Sexual Harassment).

Relative thereto, this policy is being issued to provide guidelines in monitoring the compliance of LGUs on the localization of SSA.

Creation of the Safe Spaces Monitoring Team (SSMT)

The SSMT is created at the regional, provincial, city and municipal levels to monitor the compliance of LGUs in relation to their duties and responsibilities in the implementation of SSA within their jurisdictions. 

Duties and Responsibilities of the SSMT:

1. Conduct site visits and assess the compliance of the local government units.

2. Discuss with the concerned governor/city/municipal mayor or punong barangay the outcome of the assessment and provide recommended actions to address the issues concerning the compliance of the LGU to the localization of SSA.

3. Consolidate and submit the required Monitoring Report Forms to appropriate levels. 

4. Ensure that the reports are encoded in the shared Google Drive. 

Assessing the Compliance of LGUs on the Localization of SSA

The compliance of the LGUs on the localization of SSA shall be assessed based on the following checklist as provided for under

DILG-PCW JMC No. 2020-001:

1. Mechanism and System

• Establishment of Anti-Sexual Harassment (ASH) Desk;

• Designation of Anti-Sexual Harassment Enforcers (ASHEs);

• Setting-up of ASH Hotline;

• Establishment of ASH Referral Network;

• Installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) in public spaces, particularly in major roads, alleys and sidewalks; and

• Implementation of measures to prevent and address gender-based sexual harassment such as posting of warning signs, designation of ASHEs, installation of CCTV, and development of protocols in handling complaints of GBSH in streets and public spaces (for private establishments accessible to the public).

2. 1.6.1.4. Education and Awareness Campaign

• Posting of a copy of RA 11313 and related ordinances in conspicuous places; and

• Distribution of Information, education and communication (IEC) materials that raise awareness for and condemn GBSH in streets and public spaces

Period Covered and Frequency of Assessment 

 The assessment of LGU Compliance shall be conducted within the 1st semester of each and every year with the following schedules:

Legal Bases / References

• Advisory 2025.01.06 Submission Of Monitoring Report On The Localization Of The Safe Spaces Act (SSA) For Calendar Year (CY) 2025

• Advisory 2023.11.20 Guidelines in Monitoring The Compliance of Local Government Units (LGUs) on the Localization of Safe Spaces Act (SSA)

• DILG-PCW-JMC-Localization of the Safe Spaces Act