During the regular session presided by Hon. Alfredo Pablo “Alf” Ortega, the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved the Safe Spaces or Bawal Bastos Ordinance, or also known as “An Ordinance prohibiting gender-biased sexual harassment in streets and public spaces in the City of San Fernando, providing for the guidelines in the implementation thereof and prescribing penalties thereof” on second and final reading.

Since 1995, sexual harassment in the Philippines has been specifically prohibited under Republic Act No. 7977, otherwise known as the “ Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995.” However, the definition of sexual harassment under this law was limited and covered only acts committed at work, education, and training-related environment, furthermore, it does not penalize the acts of sexual harassment committed in many other places such as on the streets, in restaurants and malls, public utility vehicles and other public spaces.

With Republic Act No. 11313 or the the Safe Spaces Act, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, through the Committee on Women and Family and duly authored by Hon. Maria Rosario Eufrosina “Chary” Nisce, passed an ordinance localizing the Safe Space Act in the City of San Fernando.

The honorable members present during the regular sessions were: Hon. Alfredo Pablo “Alf” Ortega, Hon. Maria Rosario Eufrosina “Chary” Nisce, Hon. Ernesto Rafon, Hon. Ramon “Monetski” Ortega, Hon. Ramon Guio “Ram” Ortega, Hon. Rizalde “Zaldy” Laudencia, Hon. John Orros, Hon. Antonio “Tony” Jucar, Hon. Lucia Esperanza “Luzan” Valero, Hon. Quintin Balcita, Hon. Rodolfo “Rudy” Abat, Hon. Mark Anthony “Macky” Ducusin, Hon. Arnel “Lakay” Almazan, and Hon. Juliana Aquino.