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| Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste gracing the provincial government's celebration of 2024 Regional/Provincial Women's Month (Image Source: Batangas Capitol Public Information Office/Macven Ocampo) |
The Provincial Government of Batangas, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), in partnership with the Batangas State University – The National Engineering University and in collaboration with the Provincial Women Coordinating Council Batangas Inc. (PWCCBI), conducted the 2024 Regional/Provincial Women's Month Celebration last March 21, 2024 at the Provincial Capitol Complex in Batangas City.
The celebration started early with a dance exercise at the Capitol's Marble Terrace, which was attended by guests and PSWDO employees. A program was then held at the Provincial Auditorium with the theme "Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas: Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan!", graced by delegates of the CALABARZON Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) and women from across the region with their presence. Although unable to attend the annual event, Batangas Governor Hon. Hermilando I. Mandanas extended his congratulations, through PSWDO Head Florita Lachica, who continues to recognize the contribution and success of every Filipina, particularly Batangueñas, in society. Meanwhile, wearing his purple baro symbolizing gender equality and women empowerment, Vice Governor Mark Leviste shared that having compassion or serving those who care is something good to learn from women.
6th District Senior Board Member Maria Claudette Ambida-Alday and Committee on Women and Family Chairperson and 1st District Board Member (BM) Armie Bausas, along with 3rd District BM Alfredo Corona, also participated in the event. Agoncillo Mayor Atty. Cinderella Valenton-Reyes, PCCWBI President and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) IV-A Regional Director and acting RGADC Chairperson Agnes E. Tolentino were also given the opportunity to share their messages. In a speech by Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Deputy Executive Director Maria Kristine Josefina G. Balmes, she announced that the ranking of the Philippines in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report has increased to 16th place in the year 2023, from 19th place in 2022. But she said that it is not enough reason to rest or stop the fight for a gender-equal country far from any discrimination. There were also a series of discussions with the help of invited resource speakers regarding the problems faced by women with disabilities, the twentieth year anniversary of Republic Act (RA) 9262 or “Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004”, and Breast Care and Cancer Awareness.
Meanwhile, the students of Batangas Province High School for Culture and Arts provided entertainment with their musical presentation titled "Babae Ka." Lastly, the Top 20 entries of the Photo Essay Contest were awarded with the photo taken by Rishley Inlab Monares from Kapayapaan Integrated School (Laguna) with the title “Architects of Society” taking home the top spot. In second place was Glenn Tiondo's entry "Women in Agricultural Engineering" while in third place was Stephanie Beatrice Marasigan's photo "March-ing Past the Boundaries". Throughout the celebration, Service for Juana offered free massages, haircuts, manicures and pedicures while the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) reopened the Community Food Market in the Regina R. Mandanas Memorial DREAM Zone, which is home to women entrepreneurs of the province.
(With words by Gian Marco Scamillas, Batangas Capitol Public Information Office)
