Evaluating Local Government Units in the Enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 in Barangay Guadalupe Cebu City

This study evaluates the implementation and effectiveness of Republic Act No. 11313, known as the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 or “Bawal Bastos Law”, at the barangay level in Guadalupe, Cebu City. It investigates how identity, class, and governance shape residents’ awareness, perceptions, and experiences of gender-based harassment and local law enforcement. A mixed-methods research design was employed. Quantitative data were gathered from one hundred (100) adult participants using structured Likert-scale questionnaires. Responses were first checked for reliability using McDonald’s Omega in JASP (ver. 0.19.3); the instrument yielded ωt = 0.86. Group differences were examined using one-way ANOVA run in Microsoft Excel, comparing awareness and perception across gender, age, occupation, and educational attainment. Qualitative data were drawn from openended responses and analyzed thematically through Braun and Clarke’s Thematic Analysis method. The results revealed that while general awareness of the Safe Spaces Act was high (72% of respondents), significant gaps existed among older adults and those with lower educational attainment. ANOVA results indicated statistically significant differences (p 0.05) in awareness and perception levels across gender, age, occupation, and educational attainment, with women and younger respondents reporting greater familiarity and trust in the law’s implementation. Thematic analysis highlighted both community appreciation for the barangay’s initial efforts and frustration over limited education campaigns, weak enforcement, and uneven access to information. Notably, many respondents from vulnerable or older groups expressed unfamiliarity with the law. Many participants called for stronger visibility of the law and more consistent response mechanisms. The study emphasizes the need for barangay-level implementation to be inclusive, sustained, and demographically responsive. It contributes to the national discourse on gender-based policy by demonstrating the value of grassroots participation and intersectional approaches in promoting safe communities.