Culminating Activity of National Women's Month




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With the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, women of the different People’s Organizations in the communities are not only empowered but also had contributed their competencies in nurturing the environment.
Women are part of establishing and developing plantation sites which are not only contributing to the ecological benefits of maintaining trees but also became potential projects for commercial industries. Their success stories are evident that women, despite of being vulnerable, can do influence social change in managing and protecting the environment and natural resources.
Regional Executive Director and Gender and Development Focal Point System chairperson Gwendolyn Bambalan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 2 has initiated the conduct of Gender Sensitivity Training among executives and officials as part of the National Women’s Month celebration. RED Bambalan encouraged the 30 men and 17 women participants to become gender sensitive and explore and find solutions to gender issues that may affect employees’ development and their performance in the department.
The training seeks to perpetuate gender discrimination biases manifested through marginalization, multiple burden, stereotyping and violence against women. Atty. Ellen Michelle Javier of the Legal Division also acted as one of the speakers.
In observance of the National Women’s Month, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 has reconstituted the Regional Gender and Development Focal Point System (RGADFPS) to oversee the implementation of GAD mainstreamed activities in all environmental programs of the department.
Engr. Remedios Pauig, Licenses and Patents and Deeds Division chief and RGAD head secretariat, underscored this during her recent radio interview. “The RGAD focal point system will serve as an avenue to promote the agency’s gender equality; engage and empower women to participate in environmental programs; and eliminate discrimination and abuse against them as they are potential in the development of our country,” she said.
The celebration kicked off on March 1 was highlighted with a synchronized performance of the One Billion Rising Dance to fight discrimination and violence against women. This was led by RGADFPS Chairperson Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan, the first woman director of DENR Region 2.
“The committee members of the RGADFPS will be the prime movers to implement the GAD programs and to ensure that men and women in our organization as well as partners and stakeholders of the department will be engaged and benefitted from our environmental programs,” she added.
The National Women’s Month celebration is embodied in Presidential Proclamation No. 227 known as “Providing for the Observance of the Month of March as Women’s Role in History Month.#
Employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 join the synchronized performance of the One Billion Rising Dance earlier today to drumbeat the National Women’s Month celebration.
Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan who is known as a champion of gender responsiveness and equality in the organization and program implementation led the kick-off program at the DENR regional office.
“Kung meron mang pagbabago, kasama ang mga kababaihan dito...Pagbabago para sa kabutihan ng lahat,” Director Bambalan said emphasizing the roles of women in effecting change amidst climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lady director also encouraged the employees to promote gender sensitivity in the workplace by delivering quality, timely and efficient service to all clients of the department.
In the orientation of the newly reconstituted Regional Gender and Development Focal Point System (RGADFPS) yesterday, Director Bambalan who also chairs the RGADFPS emphasized the main goal of the gender and development program which is to promote gender equality between men and women and other marginalized sectors in achieving economic, ecological and political empowerment.
“The word empowerment is important to all of us. Empowering is enabling, capacitating. If we want equality, we should be empowered. You are empowered when you don’t need other sources of power for you to go on with your functions or activities,” she highlighted.
Assistant Regional Executive Directors Marcos Dacanay and Ismael Manaligod, Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Director Mario Ancheta and Environmental Management Bureau Regional Director Nelson Honrado also compose the executive committee of the RGADFPS. They act as the vice chairpersons.
The DENR Region 2 will hold various activities this month which include orientation on gender sensitivity, film viewing of documentaries about successful women, performance of the One Billion Rising dance every Monday, and gift giving at the Women’s Haven and Children’s Orphanage in Solana, Cagayan.
Free certified technical description and seedlings will also be given at the regional office on March 8 in celebration of the International Women’s Day.#