COTABATO CITY (December 10) — The Bangsamoro Government has formalized the establishment of 22 Women and Children Protection Units (WCPUs) across the region, a long-needed boost to frontline services for survivors of abuse in a region where violence against women and children remains underreported and often unaddressed.
Launched Tuesday by the Ministry of Health (MOH), the WCPUs are designed to deliver child-friendly, survivor-centered care — from medical exams and psychosocial support to legal and police coordination. Seven units have already been upgraded to Level One status, meaning they can provide more comprehensive, round-the-clock services.
Dr. Jeremy Toledo, speaking for Health Minister Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., said the units are critical to ensuring that women and children — “our partners in progress” — are protected from harm and empowered to seek justice.
Bangsamoro Women Commission Chairperson Hadja Bainon Karon underscored the stakes: “By operationalizing this unit effectively, BARMM is establishing a life-saving platform where victims can receive care that upholds their rights.”
Police Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman committed the police force to strengthen coordination with WCPUs, saying every survivor must receive “protection, respect, and justice.”
Child Protection Network Executive Director Dr. Bernadette Madrid reminded officials why these units matter beyond bureaucracy. Watching children dance at the event, she said: “This is what we want children to be. We cannot progress if children are abused and we do nothing.”
A Memorandum of Understanding among the MOH, Child Protection Network, police, and provincial health offices was signed to secure sustainability and inter-agency cooperation — a persistent gap flagged by child-protection advocates.
The initiative is supported by UNICEF and the Korean Government through KOICA under the BARMM–KOICA–UNICEF program.
