Angeleñas converge for International Women’s Day

ANGELES CITY- Thousands of women from the 33 barangays of this city participated in this year’s Women’s Assembly held on March 8 at Marquee Mall Activity Center in conjunction with the International Women’s Day.

With the theme “We Make Change Work for Women”, the celebration highlights the empowerment of women as active contributors to and claimholders of development. This pursuit of development is also anchored on the commitment of “Malasakit at Pagbabago” or True Compassion and Real Change.

According to Gender and Development (GAD) Officer Purita David, the activity has been a tradition in our city to highlight the celebration of Women’s Month.

A Zumba Pa More competition highlighted the said assembly where participants showcased their grace and confidence.

“We have been doing the Zumba Pa More activity for more than three years now and I am thankful because our women and members of the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders (LGBT) Community from this city are in full support of the activity,” said David.

Prizes were given to the winning participants in various categories. The winners include Barangay Sto. Cristo, Barangay Sto. Domingo and Barangay San Jose for Most Energetic Performance on Stage; Barangay Mining for Most Energetic Participants (Group); Ethnika Delos Reyes for Most Energetic Participants (Individual); Barangay San Nicolas for Best Zumba Outfit (Group); Irene Roque for Best Zumba Outfit (Individual);

Special awards were also given to the contingents from Barangay Cuayan for being the early bird, Barangay Pandan for the Most number of Barangay Attendees and Franzcene Tanhueco Lavarias from Barangay Pulung Bulu as Zumba Sireyna.

For his part, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan lauded the efforts of Gender and Development Office for being committed in implementing projects of our women in the city. He also emphasized the importance of the role of women for the betterment of the city.

“I laud our GAD Office for all the programs and activities that they have been extending to our women’s sector. Multi-sectoral participation has been one of our administration’s main thrust and I am elated to say that our women have truly played important roles in the success of our governance,” said Pamintuan.

Meanwhile, as part of the month-long celebration of Women’s Month, the GAD Office will be having a Livelihood Program for women on March 15 at the City Agriculture’s Office. The program includes Accessories Making and Flower Arrangement .

A Beauty Day Treat for all the female employees of the city government is scheduled on March 22 at the Marquee Mall Activity Center while on March 25, 2019, there will be a Free Osteoporosis Screening for women which will be held at the Tax Payer’s Lounge.

To complete the celebration, the city will be having a Trade Fair and “Ukay-Ukay for a Cause” on March 25 – 29, 2019 at the City Hall Lobby.

The month of March is celebrated yearly as National Women’s Month. In the Philippines, this celebration is pursuant to Proclamation No. 224 S. of 1988 declaring the first week of March each year as Women’s Week and March 8 as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day; Proclamation No. 227 S. of 1988, Providing for the Observance of the Month of March as Women’s Role in History Month and Republic Act (RA) 6949 S. of 1990 declaring March 8 of every year as National Women’s Day.— AC-CIO