Cebu pushes workplace gender safety
The Cebu City Council yesterday urged Mayor Edgardo Labella to issue an Executive Order (EO) promoting a gender-sensitive workplace in the city government to strengthen the policies and programs against discrimination and sexual harassment.
This developed after a sexual harassment case was filed by three women against City Hall employee and former Kamputhaw villtge chief Lorenzo Basamot.
Basamot, the section head of the Records and Archives Management Division, was accused by the three victims who work in the Department of General Services that they were sexually harassed in separate occasions during the course of their employment.
Basamot denied the claims and filed a counter case against the three.
North District City Councilor Alvin Dizon said, “It is crucial for all Cebu City government offices to promote a culture of respect and tolerance by promoting a non-discriminatory workplace for all employees regardless of their gender.”
Dizon added that aside from the EO, the council in its resolutions requested the Human Resource Development Office to initiate capacity-building interventions for all Cebu City government officials and employees on the importance of workplace inclusivity and diversity through gender-sensitivity seminars.
The council also requested the Association of Barangay Councils to conduct workshops and training for barangay officials and raise community awareness on the anti-discrimination ordinance, sexual harassment laws, the Magna Carta for Women and Safe Public Space Law.
Dizon likewise enjoined Cebu City officials to use non-sexist language in all meetings, caucuses and sessions.