The Department of Labor and Employment-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOLE-CAR) celebrated the 2025 National Women’s Month Celebration with a series of activities that sought to empower women and gender equality. Based on the theme “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the celebration highlighted the pivotal contribution of women towards nation-building and the necessity of having an inclusive society.
The series of events kicked off with a Gender and Development (GAD) advocacy to enlighten and empower personnel to promote gender equality in all programs. A presentation on relevant legal foundations, such as the Magna Carta for Women (RA 9710) and laws against discrimination at work (RA 6725) also ensures that the DOLE-CAR personnel are enlightened in upholding the rights and welfare of women workers.
An event highlight include the male DOLE-CAR staff who affirmed their commitment to the DOLE-CAR MOVE (Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere) by affixing their signatures on the Pledge. The launching of the DOLE-CAR MOVE program called on male employees to take an active role in eradicating violence against women.
To strengthen the message on GAD, advocacy shirts were worn by the personnel along with the posting of advocacy tarpaulins which reinforced the celebratory messages.
Additionally, an event on the “Serbisyo Para Kay Juana” Health and Wellness Activity was conducted on 14 March 2025 at DOLE-CAR Regional Office, Baguio City. Together with the Department of Health Cordillera Administrative Region, Engineers Hill Health Center, JCI Baguio Sunflower, and Players Barbers, the activity provided free health and wellness services to participants.
A total of 152 participants joined the event, with many availing themselves of the following free services, with a total tally of 13 clients for Cervical cancer screening, 15 clients for Breast cancer screening, 114 individuals who had Chest X-ray, 92 clients for the Pneumococcal vaccination, 10 beneficiaries for the HPV vaccination (for children aged 9–14 years old), 139 beneficiaries for Free Vitamin C supplements, 100 beneficiaries for Free ferrous sulfate supplements, and 17 men who availed of free haircuts.
The activity also included assistance for participants to enroll in the PhilHealth Konsulta Package to further assure access to core health services.
DOLE-CAR also initiated various activities to enhance gender and development advocacy in the workplace and communities.
DOLE Cordillera Regional Director Imelda E. Romanillos, CESE, also emphasized the importance of similar endeavors while mentioning that, “National Women’s Month must remind us that when we empower women with affordable healthcare, we are empowering our communities as well because women constitute a major portion of the country’s workforce.”
DOLE-CAR’s pursuit of women’s rights and ensuring equal access to resources is aligned with national laws like the Republic Act No. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women and the Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development.
The celebration was actively attended by DOLE-CAR employees, contractual staff, interns, and partner agency representatives. In this momentous gathering, the DOLE-CAR reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a just and equitable society while projecting the key role of women in nation-building. By Daryll B. Ponard
