QC urged to promote self-defense for female students

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City sixth district Councilor Lala Sotto-Antonio is urging her peers in the city council to approve a measure that will integrate the teaching of self-defense for female students in the schools in the city.

“The Quezon City government needs a program to implement and enhance the protection of females through a more responsive scheme of prevention,” Sotto said in her proposed ordinance.

If approved, the measure will mandate the establishment of a basic self-defense training course that will available for female public and private secondary school students in the city.

“This ordinance seeks to prevent sexual harassment, assaults and other forms of abuse by enabling vulnerable female students to develop and be given opportunity to have knowledge of self-defense,” Sotto said.

She said initial funding for the program will come from any available funds of the city government, with subsequent funding be included in the annual budget of the Division of City Schools.

The proposal is pending before the city council.