The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday underscored the critical role of local government units (LGUs) in protecting victims of gender-based sexual harassment through the effective implementation of the Safe Spaces Act.

Assistant Secretary Brian Mey R. Tomas said LGUs are mandated to establish Anti-Sexual Harassment (ASH) Desks, designate Anti-Sexual Harassment Enforcers, and implement reporting mechanisms that allow victims to safely seek assistance.

“LGUs have many responsibilities under this law as its primary enforcers,” Tomas said.

Latest DILG data showed that 1,175 cities and municipalities and 27,264 barangays nationwide have established ASH Desks, while 25,887 Anti-Sexual Harassment Enforcers have been designated.

Tomas stressed that the Safe Spaces Act protects everyone from gender-based sexual harassment, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

“If they experience harassment because of their sexual orientation or gender expression, they are protected by the Safe Spaces Act and may file a complaint under the law,” he said.

He added that harassment motivated by a person’s SOGIESC is covered by the law and may be reported through ASH Desks or other established reporting channels. He also noted that local anti-discrimination ordinances provide additional legal remedies against discrimination.

Tomas said the DILG continues to monitor LGU compliance while conducting capacity-building initiatives and information campaigns to strengthen implementation of the law.

He acknowledged that despite the Safe Spaces Act taking effect in 2019, some local officials and frontline implementers still need a better understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment and their responsibilities under the law.

“We still have a lot of work to do in helping people understand the nature of the Safe Spaces Act. It is a relatively new law, and it is important for implementers to understand not only what they are required to do, but also why the law exists in the first place,” Tomas said.

The DILG urged victims of gender-based sexual harassment to report incidents through their respective LGU ASH Desks, saying stronger local implementation and greater public awareness can help build safer, more inclusive, and gender-responsive communities.