WOMEN’S MONTH OBSERVED IN OLONGAPO
- WOMEN POWER. – In solidarity with the rest of the world, women from different walks of life in Olongapo banded together to support the observance of Women’s Month with a walkathon from the East Tapinac Oval Track to the Rizal Triangle Covered Court where other activities, including a mini job fair, free medical assistance, free legal counseling, free driving seminar, free “buntis” registration, “libreng gupit”, and Gawang Gapo livelihood assistance, were held. Photo shows (3rd fr left) East Tapinac Kagawad Vina Lou Vizcocho, Police Supt. Amelia Garcia, SBMA Director and Olongapo First Lady Anne Gordon, Gene Eclarino, head CSWD with some female personnel of the Olongapo PNP. (SBNphoto)
Some one thousand women from different sectors and affiliations walked together on the city streets and held various activities at the city plaza to launch the Women’s Month celebration in Olongapo.
Led by Olongapo City Women’s Council Chairperson Anne Gordon, who was recently named director of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the Women’s Month kick-off activity started with a walkathon from the East Tapinac Oval Track and featured a job fair, free legal counseling, free driving seminar, free “buntis” registration, “libreng gupit”, medical assistance and Gawang Gapo livelihood assistance.
During the program at the Rizal Triangle covered court near city hall, Olongapo Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. reiterated the city government’s commitment to provide the education and livelihood assistance women need to live up to their new role in society.
“Ang mga kababaihan ngayon ay hindi na lamang pangbahay, maraming mga babae ngayon ang nagtatagumpay sa iba’t-ibang larangan tulad ng ating kababayan na si Jessica Barlomento na kinilala noong 2007 bilang pinakamahusay na welder sa bansa,” the city mayor said.
Stressing that his administration recognizes the new role of women as family providers and as community and corporate leaders, Gordon said education, livelihood assistance and job opportunities for women remain as priorities of the city government.
Meanwhile, Director Gordon gave the assurance that the Olongapo Center for Women, which she helped establish in 2006, is ready to provide assistance to women and their children who are victims of violence.
The City Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office (LCDO) also presented the 30 women chosen to undergo free trainings in dimsum making, accessory making, meat processing and sweet pastries making as prerequisite to the livelihood assistance that will be extended to them.
“Kailangan munang matutuhan nila ang kinakailangang skills para makapag-umpisa ng isang home-based livelihood project,” Director Gordon explained. Among the groups that participated in the Women’s Month kick-off activities were female Barangay officials, including Subic Bay News Associate Editor Kagawad Vina Lou Vizcocho, BUKLOD, SUGPO, BALIKATAN, Urban Basic Services Program, Amerasian Group, Day Care Committees, 4Ps beneficiaries and the Philippine National Police. City Councilors Ellen Dabu, Edna Ellane and Tet Marzan-Estrella, along with new DepEd School Superintendent Jessie Ferrer, CENRO head Atty. Marife Castillo, officers and members of the Olongapo City Women’s Council, barangay health workers, city employees and residents also joined the day-long activity.
