LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – To cap the observance of the National Women’s Month celebration in Pangasinan, the provincial government conducted the Provincial Women’s Convention on March 22 at the Sison Auditorium, here.
Some 500 women leaders including representatives of Kapisanan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) and other women organizations from various towns and cities in the province, policewomen and tertiary students taking up social works-related disciplines, participated in the said assembly organized by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
PSWDO Chief Emil Samson said the annual women’s convention, aside from being a celebration of femininity, is a fitting opportunity for women in the grassroots to update and enhance their knowledge on their rights and privileges as key players for development in their respective localities.
“It is a mandate that we have to act to extensively uphold women’s rights and welfare,” Samson said, as he noted that the women empowerment efforts of the provincial government transcends and are not only confined with information-dissemination drives.
“Kabilang ang KALIPI at iba pang women organization sa Pangasinan sa livelihood assistance program ng provincial government kung saan sila ay pinapahiram ng puhunan para mapaikot nila,” Samson added.
Coinciding with the women’s convention is the staging of the 1st provincial commemoration of the 13th National Women with Disability day.
Meanwhile, Provincial Legal Officer Geraldine Baniqued, on behalf of Pangasinan First Lady Karina Padua-Espino who was invited as guest of honor and speaker, noted the provincial leadership’s various advocacies and projects to help empower the women sector in the province.
The women empowerment – anchored efforts launched during the administration of former Governor and now 5th district Representative Amado T. Espino, Jr. are continued and strengthened further by the present provincial leadership, Baniqued said.
Giving an extensive discussion on the Magna Carta of Women of 2009 (Republic Act 9710) was Dagupan City Administrator Farah Decano; Medical Officer III Mary Grace del Castillo of Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 1 discussed women and health, while Environment Management Specialist Rowena dela Cruz tackled women and environment.
Taking part in the grassroots women’s gathering, the Junior Chamber International – Lingayen Liberation II extended its Pinay Project through offering free-of-charge beauty and wellness services. On the following day, the JCI also sponsored a zumba at the Capitol beachfront.
As a wrap up activity of this year’s women convention, the new set of officers of the KALIPI Provincial Federation to serve from 2016-2019 swore in before Provincial Administrator Nirmrod Camba, who represented Governor Espino during the KALIPI induction and oath-taking ceremony.
Bringing an entertaining mood to the women gathering, the retro dance competition unleashed the dancing skills and creativity of the participating women groups from 1st to sixth congressional districts in the province.
By Dexter A. See
