Cabinet members’ spouses band for a cause
Rather than accompany their husbands to meetings and sessions, spouses of Cabinet members banded together for a common cause.
Late last year, the DU30 Cabinet Spouses Association, a brainchild of philanthropist and beauty expert Ricky Reyes was formed to give assistance to the marginalized sector of society and institute significant charitable programs. Members of the group are all wives (and a husband) of current Cabinet secretaries.
To date, the association has organized noteworthy projects like the 4R Home (Reform, Recharge, Re-educate, Reinvent) Program, designed for President Duterte’s campaign against drugs. 4R Home is a free formation house for Filipino indigents who voluntarily surrendered and cannot afford rehab center fees. 4R Home will help individuals with drug-related problems go through reformation to become productive citizens again.
Its second project is called ‘Type ng Bayan (TNB) – a free blood typing program for every Filipino which will provide assurance and peace of mind that in any eventuality of health problems, someone outside the family circle will be able to share that much needed blood.
Type ng Bayan increases awareness of every Filipino of their blood type and gives knowledge of sharing his same blood type near their home, thereby fostering friendship and camaraderie among neighbors.
Members of the cabinet Spouses Association are: Regina Bello, Beth Dureza, Bai Norhata Alonto, Emmeline Villar, Allelee Andanar, DSWD Sec. Judy Taguiwalo, Elena Pernia, Lorna Esperon, Araceli Panelo, Education Sec. Leonor Briones, Ditas Orbos, Flor Evasco, Marisol Tugade, Ruby Mamondiong, Marissa Aguirre, Betty Medialdea, Ferylou Cui and the only thorn among the roses, Henry Ubial, husband of DOH Sec. Paulyn Ubial.
These cabinet spouses have careers of their own but still have the will and energy to give time for worthy projects. Political spouses today play an important role in the society of the modern era, not only as partners of the cabinet secretaries, but also as active, dynamic, and influential members of the public.
Today, members of the Cabinet Spouses Association ensure a smooth and organized implementation of projects they will undertake.