Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Sexual harassment in the workplace is "widespread and commonplace" in the

United Kingdom, according to a six-month study by members of Parliament (MPs), but
employers are ignoring the problem and legal protection often is not available.

That country's Women and Equalities Committee urged leaders to raise the issue
to the top of the policy agenda and called for employers to stop using nondisclosure
agreements, which prevent victims from reporting sexual harassment "and unwanted
sexual behavior."

A culture of sexual harassment and similar inappropriate behavior is not limited

to the UK. At least 2 billion women have experienced sexual harassment, according to
data from the World Health Organization and analysis from Joseph Chamie. Chamie is
an independent consulting demographer and a former director of the United Nations
Population Division.

The U.S. government has quietly settled dozens of sexual harassment cases
involving federal workers in recent years—using taxpayer money—for sexual
harassment claims, Politico reported in January.

And there have been reports of businesses whose "frat boy" workplace cultures
turned a blind eye to—and, in some cases, encouraged—inappropriate or lewd
behavior.
 A newly released book, Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys' Club of Silicon Valley
(Portfolio, 2018), paints a picture of toxic workplaces that are demeaning to women. A
Forbes investigation of Papa John's pizza company found a culture, allegedly fostered
by the founder and some high-level executives, that included sexually inappropriate
conduct that resulted in at least two confidential settlements.

And six women have accused Les Moonves, chairman and CEO of CBS, of
sexual misconduct. Dozens more described "an environment of sexual harassment and
intimidation at the company," the New Yorker reported. He is being put on temporary
leave during an independent investigation of the allegations. SHRM Online has
collected the following articles from its archives and respected news sources on the
impact of sexual harassment on workplace culture.

Sexual Harassment in the Philippines

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a new law criminalising

catcalling, wolf-whistling and other forms of public sexual harassment. Those caught
under the Safe Spaces Act could face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to
500,000 pesos (£7,790; $9,750). The law was signed in April but only made public by
officials on Monday. However, a women's rights party said Mr Duterte was himself "the
single most brazen violator of the law's intent". Under the law, gender-based sexual
harassment is banned in all public places, including streets, workplaces, recreational
areas and public vehicles. Listed offences include groping, stalking, flashing and making
misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic or sexist slurs. Businesses like restaurants and
cinemas will have to display signs warning against harassment, and display the
numbers of telephone hotlines where the public can report alleged offences. The law
also covers gender-based sexual harassment online, including physical, psychological
and emotional threats made either publicly or through private messages.

Officials did not explain the delay between the law being signed and it being
made public. The main author of the bill, opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros, said its
passing was a "massive victory". "With this law, we will reclaim our streets from sexual
harassers and gender bigots and make public spaces safe for all."

Women's political party Gabriela said the new legislation was the result of hard
work by various women's groups to combat gaps in the law and an "alarming rise in
street-based and public sexual harassment".

But the party said Mr Duterte was "the single most brazen violator of the law's
intent" and "the chief propagator of a culture that degrades and objectifies women, and
that which exhorts cat-callers, sexual offenders and even uniformed personnel to
disrespect women". "Under this context, implementing the law will certainly be a
challenge," said the party. Mr Duterte has repeatedly made headlines for his
provocative statements about women. Earlier last year, he said he had sexually
assaulted a maid when he was a teenager, though his spokesman later said he had
made the story up. He also sparked criticism after he kissed an overseas Filipina worker
on the lips during a public event, and once told Filipino soldiers they should shoot
female communist rebels in the vagina.

Sexual Harassment in Pangasinan

The number of violence against women in the province for the first three months
this year declined by 49 percent, or 134 cases recorded from January to March 21 as
compared to 263 cases in the same period last year.

Pangasinan Police Provincial Office Women and their Children Protection Desk Police
Chief Inspector Genevieve Poblete said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency
(PNA) that rape cases decreased to 15 this year from 23 last year while acts of
lasciviousness with 11 cases this year compared to 20 last year.

However, cases of attempted rape increased this year with four cases recorded
compared to three in 2017.
There were no reports of sexual harassment and mail-order bride incidents this year, as
compared to one sexual harassment and 50 mail-order bride incidents last year, said
Poblete.

In addition, recorded cases of violation of Republic Act (RA) 9262 otherwise known as
“The Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004” from January to
March this year were also reduced by 23 percent compared to the data of the same
period last year, Poblete said.

She also said that this year, the number of violent acts covered within RA 9262 declined
as compared to last year's data.

Poblete explained that physical abuse cases this year dwindled from 106 to 61;
psychological abuse decreased from 38 to 24; economic abuse from 17 to 16 and
sexual abuse from three to only one this year.

Several intervention programs and projects for the victims include livelihood training,
dialogue and counseling.

To prevent violence against women and children, Poblete said the implementation of
minor’s curfew hour is strictly implemented, anti-illegal drug prevention and police
visibility and lecture/training on basic self-defense

Sexual Harassment in San Carlos City

Street harassment of women, such as catcalling, upskirting and the like, will soon
be penalized in this city.

The city council approved on Monday draft City Ordinance No. 0671 providing
protection to women against street harassment and imposing a penalty for its violation.
"We want our women, our girls, to feel safe in public places in Dagupan City. Let us all
get involved in efforts to reduce this violence because girls and women have the right to
enjoy their freedom and live full lives," author of the ordinance, Councilor Maybelyn dela
Cruz-Fernandez, said in an interview Tuesday.

The ordinance defines street harassment as comments, gestures, and actions of a

sexual nature forced on a woman in a public place without her consent.

It is a form of sexual harassment that consists of leering, ogling, stalking, obscene

gestures, catcalling, wolf-whistling, sexual jokes, and touching intimate body parts of a
woman, among others.

Fernandez said her ordinance pays particular attention only to street harassment to
women.

She noted that although women may also harass men in public, it is the latter who
largely dominate the offender side.

Violation of any provision of the ordinance will be meted with a fine and community
service, she added.

An offended woman or girl may report to the authorities comprising barangay officials,
Public Order and Safety Office, Dagupan City Police Station, at the city government's
anti-bullying or child protection hotline 0933-378-8888; or Women Protection hotline
0947-508-8888.

If the offender or violator is not more than 15 years of age, Fernandez said he shall be
subjected to an intervention program pursuant to Republic Act No. 9344, of the Juvenile
Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.
Once signed into law by Mayor Belen Fernandez, the councilwoman said copies will be
provided to all school administrators as part of the education or information campaign.

Statement of the Problem

This study was undertaken to determine the level of implementation and

effectiveness of the Anti-Rabies Law in San Carlos City, Pangasinan for the Calendar
Year 2018-2019.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What are the essential provisions of the Anti-Rabies Law in the Philippines?
What is the level of implementation of the provisions of the Anti-Rabies Law in
San Carlos City, Pangasinan for the Calendar Year 2018-2019?
2. What is the level of effectiveness of the Anti-Rabies Law in San Carlos City,
Pangasinan?
3. What is the degree of seriousness of some problem which prevented the
implementation and effectiveness of the Anti-Rabies Law in San Carlos City,
Pangasinan?
4. What is the level of urgency of some recommendations to strengthen the
implementation and effectiveness of the Anti-Rabies Law in San Carlos City,
Pangasinan?

Significance of the Study

Pursuing this study was considered significant as the findings provided some
insights and information on anti-rabies program to the following:

Victims – The result of this study could provide victims necessary information of what
they should do when bitten by a dog or any animals with rabies in case it
happens again.
Community – it is the community who will be benefitted by this study since they will be
made more aware of the Anti-Rabies Law, what to do to prevent the spread of
Rabies and what to do when infected by Rabies.

The City Health Office Worker – Ideas gained from the study could help the City Health
Office Worker in their job to continuously prevent case of rabies within San
Carlos City, Pangasinan.

The City Health Office Head – The results of the study could provide necessary
information in the CHO’s formulation of plans and policies in the achievement of
its objectives and goals especially in dealing with rabies cases.

City Government Planners – The study would serve as a guide in the enrichment of the
streets and to have free rabies community most particularly in the inclusion of
concepts, which are deemed to encourage all animal owners to support this
program.

Researchers – This study could provide us a knowledge that can be used to help the
local government in the better implementation of the Anti-Rabies Law.

Future Researchers – This study could provide future researchers insights and valuable
data for further studies like surveys regarding the rabies cases.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study was undertaken to determine the level of implementation and

effectiveness of the Anti-Rabies Law in San Carlos City for the Calendar Year 2018.
Respondents would be all from San Carlos City, Pangasinan consisting of 25 Health
Workers, 25 Pet Owners, 25 Barangay Officials and 25 Concerned Citizen.

Definition of terms