Starting Point
Francisca Lofranco Tagalog is a community leader from Cebu City in the Central Philippines. She has been dedicated to helping women and children who experience domestic violence. She leads the Bantay Banay (Family Watch), a community-based organisation that addresses cases of domestic violence, in Barangay Sawang Calero. The Bantay Banay itself operates in 50 of the 80 barangays (districts) of Cebu City.
Peace Journey
Tagalog is familiar with the domestic violence issue. She has been assisting women seeking support since joining Bantay Banay in 1998. However, the pandemic brought fresh challenges. During the peak of quarantine restrictions, she not only responded to reports of violence but also addressed the welfare needs of its members and beneficiaries. Due to the organisation's size, she often faces logistical challenges. Yet, she remains committed to serving the community. While the burden is quite heavy, Ms. Tagalog and her team have ensured that every action is coordinated. They established a group chat for each district to facilitate coordination.
Success Stories
Ms. Tagalog and her team continue to support domestic violence survivors through legal advice and interventions. To date, they have filed seven cases and secured one conviction. They also provide referral mechanisms and sometimes intervene with quick-response actions.