Balut Island in the Municipality of Saranggani in Davao Occidental is classified as Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Conflict-Affected Area or GIDCA. As such, the area faces various challenges including the inaccessibility of most social services to the residents who belong to the B’laan and Sangil tribes.

Incidence of violence

Domestic violence has been reported in Balut Island, with sexual abuse accounting for 16 of the 39 reported cases from 2017-2022 documented by the Philippine National Police (PNP) – Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) Office of Sarangani. This was followed by violence against women and children (VAWC).

READ MORE at: https://journal.com.ph/how-dswd-regained-peace-for-victims-of-violence-in-this-island-community/