LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Sixteen women from the different towns of Benguet were recognized as Huwarang Kababaihan ng Benguet during the March 6, 2023 flag-raising ceremony at the Provincial Capitol.
This is the first awards ceremony in the province on the recognition of outstanding and exemplary women.
Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas said the awards ceremony, which is part of the celebration of the Women’s Month, serves as a way of recognizing the innate potentials and contributions of women to the improvement and development of their respective communities.
“Your achievements serve as an inspiration not only for women, but for everyone as well,” the Governor said. “No awan kayo, awan kami met.”
The awardees were prescreened by their respective municipal governments through their respective Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) before they were endorsed to the provincial screening committee.
Further, the 16 women were also the first to take part in the Women Officials For A Day (WOFAD) program of the provincial government which was enacted last year through an ordinance.
Designated as the provincial officials for the day on Monday were Marcela Amistad as the Governor for the day and Myra Demot as the Vice Governor for the day.
Board Members for the day were Genevieve Dulawan, Renina Baldino, Ligaya Domingo, Marilou Cornel, Tessie Abawa, Josephine Leon, Juliet Velasco, Catherine Salming, Fe Milo, Esther Carpio, Jenny Lyn Ebes, Apolonia Pad-eng and Wilma Moncado.
Ms. Benguet 2022 Cleciaflor Balabag also was designated as the provincial SK Federation President
The provincial ordinance was enacted to “engage women as stakeholders of government programs and services, create and facilitate platforms to discuss good practices, gaps, challenges, and commitment in pursuing GAD, strengthen the implementation of Magna Carta for Women, and to inspire and empower women and girls to be agents of change.”
Meanwhile, on the same day over 300 women from various women’s organizations in the province attended the 2023 Women’s Congress also organized by the provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development at the Ben Palispis Hall. Dr. Norma Banania, Vice President for Business Affairs at the Benguet State University was invited to talk on Personality Development and Self-Care Practices for Every Woman. By SAP Jr.
