On March 10, 2021, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) hosted the kick-off ceremony of the 2021 Regional Women’s Month celebration held via Google Meet. Through the leadership of Ms. Perla A. Sotelo, President of the Region 1 Advocates for Gender Equality (RAGE-1) and DMMMSU Focal Person for Gender and Development (GAD), the online event was successfully conducted with 42 different government and non-government agencies. Hundreds of other viewers participated in through the RAGE 1 and their respective agencies’ social media page live streams.
The morning program started with a unique, virtual zumba led by Professor Irene N. Gomez, DMMMSU Director for Cultural Affairs. It was followed by an audio-visual prayer and singing of the Philippine National Anthem by Ms. Arianne Alvarez, Faculty member of the DMMMSU-Mid La Union Campus (MLUC) College of Arts and Sciences.
After which, the following RAGE-1 Officers were acknowledged:
- Perla A. Sotelo from DMMMSU, President;
- Jacinta Marissa D. Otalan from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Vice President;
- Kathleen Balbuena from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Secretary;
- Cresencia Boac from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Assistant Secretary;
- Wilma Ulpindo from the Commission on Population (POPCOM), Treasurer;
- John Dick Ayeo from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Assistant Treasurer;
- Michelle Cababa from the Ilocos Training Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) and Venus May Sarmiento from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Press Relation Officers; and
- Cindy H. Soriano from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Auditor.
The listed participating agencies below were similarly recognized:
- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP),
- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR),
- Cagayan State University (special guest)
- City Government of San Fernando, La Union,
- Civil Service Commission (CSC),
- Commission on Audit (COA),
- Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
- Commission on Human Rights (CHR),
- Commission on Population (POPCOM),
- Department of Agriculture (DA),
- Department of Budget and Management (DBM),
- Department of Education (DepEd),
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
- Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),
- Department of Health (DOH),
- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG),
- Department of Justice (DOJ),
- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),
- Department of Science and Technology (DOST),
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
- Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU),
- Environmental Management Bureau (EMB),
- Ilocos Training Regional Medical Center (ITRMC),
- Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB),
- Land Transportation Office (LTO),
- Mariano Marcos State University (special guest),
- Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA),
- Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB),
- National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP),
- National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA),
- Office of Civil Defense,
- PAG IBIG,
- Philippine Information Office (PIA),
- Philippine National Police (PNP),
- Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA),
- Philippine Ports Authority (PPA),
- Philippine Postal Corporation,
- Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA),
- Probation and Parole Administration,
- Provincial Government of La Union,
- Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) (special guests), and
- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The rationale of this year’s National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) program lifted from the statements of the Philippine Council for Women, was shared by Sotelo. The message carried a call for louder gender equality for the #WonderJuanas through concrete, sustainable, inclusive and innovative actions, and working in solidarity to close gender gaps.
On behalf of DMMMSU, Dr. Eduardo C. Corpuz, DMMMSU-MLUC Chancellor, delivered opening remarks. Dr. Estrella N. Perez, DMMMSU Vice President for Administration, represented Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, Jr., DMMMSU President. She conveyed words of inspiration and underscored that this year’s theme: “Juana Laban sa Pandemya: Kaya!”, is morale-boosting and recognizes the role of women in social change. As one of the women administrators, she encouraged the participants to step-up and take the lead, and create a vibrating noise; thus, contribute to sustainable development because for her, “GADvocates echo women voices.” She also invigorated women to keep on moving but never stop exploring, and to remain phenomenal and remarkable because these are the essences of coexisting with men.
Similarly, on behalf of the newly appointed Regional Director of CHED-ROI, Dr. Rogelio T. Galera, Ms. Nympha N. Buenio, CHED-ROI Chief Administrative Officer, shared another message by inspiring women and men to be both actively involved, and become part of the solution in addressing gender and development concerns. On the other hand, Atty. Harold D. Kub-aron, CHR-RO1 Regional Director, gave emphasis on the mutual share of women and men when there is cooperation and unity because according to him, “empowered women, empower men and vice versa.” Ms. Anniely J. Ferrer from DSWD-RO1, also delivered an inspirational talk which was focused on protecting the welfare of women and children.
In the afternoon, five GADvocacy topics were shared during the knowledge sharing, as follows:
- Gender Impact of Pandemic on Women’s Health, Rights, Vulnerability and Possible Interventions by Prof. Ma. Rachel Miguel, Training Specialist III, Cagayan State University;
- MMSU Best GAD Practices and Innovations During Pandemic by Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, President, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU);
- Understanding Stress and Stress Management by Ms. Claudine Jerina E. Keith, Psychologist II, ITRMC;
- Building Resiliency with Positive Psychology by Ms. Roulyn Bangud, Psychologist II, ITRMC; and
- Beekeeping Overview + Industry GAD Concerns by Ms. Rolyne Mae C. Pajarillo, University Research Associate and GAD Focal Person, DMMMSU-National Apiculture Research Training and Development Institute (NARTDI).
A video presentation of Our Farm Republic’s success story was played during the lunch break. Ms. Lea Astrude Santiago, owner, cited the ups and downs of engaging in organic farming. Her motivating entrepreneurial experiences were opportune particularly that women entrepreneurs from the DA’s Kadiwa Market, also joined. The DMMMSU-MLUC Cultural Unit virtually showcased their tiktok dance numbers and Prof. Dyan T. Abulaban, Faculty member of DMMMSU-MLUC College of Education, rendered a song number.
Dr. Nora A. Oredina, DMMMSU-North La Union Campus (NLUC) GAD Focal Person, delivered the closing remarks. Ms. Anne Hazel Fajardo-Flores, PIA personnel, served as the Master of Ceremony. (RMCPajarillo)
