The Office of the VP for Research and Extension with the Institute of Social Research and Development (ISRD), hosted the seminar on “Safe Spaces, Respectful R&E: Upholding Gender-Sensitive Service in Benguet State University” at the R&E Everlasting Hall as part of the R&E Week Celebration.

The program started with opening remarks by the VP for Research and Extension Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres. He thanked the participants and organizers stating that the seminar is an avenue for men to relearn things regarding jokes made about women and boundaries set for the protection and respect for one another.

“𝘒𝘢𝘴𝘪 𝘬𝘢𝘩𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢 ‘𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘨 research and extension output 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯, if we are not having these safe spaces, 𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪 𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 ‘𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘴𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯, 𝘦𝘥𝘪 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘢 ‘𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘨 output 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯, he added.

Senior Administrative Assistant III  Maridel P. Langbis delivered a message on behalf of University President Kenneth A. Laruan. She emphasized the importance of the Bawal Bastos Law and stated that any form of abuse or violence has no place in any setting, whether in the workplace or university environment. Langbis encouraged everyone to reflect on how they can actively contribute to a culture of respect, accountability, and gender sensitivity.

“Together, let us uphold the principles of the Safe Spaces Act and ensure that 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘴 has no place in our work and beyond,” she said.

Office of Legal Affairs Legal Assistant Jeanne Harder-Balacay shared her insights regarding RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act, also known as the Bawal Bastos Law) and RA 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act). Her presentation covered the scope and punishable acts of these laws.

Bachelor of Science in Development Communication students, winners of the CARASUC competition, showcased their talents through a radio drama during their intermission.

Afterwards, indigenous journalist Mia Magdalena Fokno shared her experience and journey with online harassment and how she obtained justice under the Safe Spaces Act.

“The feeling of safety comes from you; if you don’t feel safe, then by all means, 𝘬𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘬 𝘺𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘴, 𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘰. Let’s help each other make this world a safe space online and also in the real world,” she stated.

The event concluded with an open forum between the participants and the speakers of the event for further clarifications regarding the Safe Spaces Act. ISRD Director Anne Heather B. Kiwang then delivered the closing remarks.

ISRD