The Department of the Interior and Local Government, together with the Philippine Commission on Women, is pushing for amendments to Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act, also known as the Bawal Bastos Law, to close existing gaps and strengthen protection against emerging forms of gender-based sexual harassment, particularly those facilitated by technology.

During the DILG Kapihan on Friday, PCW emphasized that abuse is evolving, with many cases now occurring through digital platforms. These realities, the Commission said, require clearer and more comprehensive legal provisions. The proposed amendments aim to explicitly address technology-facilitated gender-based violence and expand coverage to groups not clearly protected under the current law, including student interns and trainees.

Republic Act No. 11313 significantly expanded protection against sexual harassment by covering acts committed not only by persons in authority, but also by peers, colleagues, and strangers. It recognized that harassment can occur in public spaces, transportation systems, workplaces, schools, and online platforms.

PCW confirmed that the proposed amendments to RA 11313 have been included in the Women’s Priority Legislative Agenda for the 20th and 21st Congresses, signaling renewed urgency to update the landmark law enacted in 2019. The Commission underscored the need for Congress to prioritize measures that respond to present-day threats faced by women and girls.

Alongside legislative reforms, PCW also recommended that any dedicated Bawal Bastos Awareness Month be observed in April instead of March, to align with the enactment of RA 11313 on April 17, 2019.

The DILG stressed that strengthening the Safe Spaces Act is part of the government’s broader commitment to gender equality and inclusive governance. By updating the law to reflect current realities, the government aims to ensure that protection against sexual harassment remains effective, enforceable, and accessible in every space, whether physical or digital.