March 8 is International Women’s Day and the lady governor of Pampanga led in paying tribute to women in the province with a program held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in the City of San Fernando.
“Maragul ya papel ing babae king pamilya. Uli na dagul ya at masensu ya ing pamilya. King pamanantabe na king asawa na at pamiparagul karing anak ania maging masalese ing pamibie-bie ra.”
The governor described the role of women as the core and the glue that holds the family together, thus, “it is necessary to provide women with all the services that they need to maintain good health and function effectively in their various roles”.
In the program that was held, the provincial government made it possible for women in Pampanga’s four districts to avail of such services as medical screening to include urine test, fasting and blood sugar (FBS), cholesterol, acid test, Pap smear, electro cardiogram (ECG) courtesy of the staff of various district hospitals; distribution of free reading glasses; psychiatric consultation with Dr. Joseph Gene Ponio; free dental fluoride services with the Angeles Dental Society led by Dr. Louie Uy; free haircut; livelihood forum with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Provincial Cooperative, Entrepreneurial and Development Office (PCEDO); Philhealth screening; responsible parenthood with the Population Office; concerns of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with the Provincial Action Center for OFW Concerns (PACOC), especially those who had just arrived from or are left behind in Libya.
Apart from these services, the governor also asked the women to line up according to groups – wives of OFWs, persons with disabilities (PWDs) – and personally handed gifts consisting of T-shirt, underwear, package of grocery items, and snacks and lunch packs.
She also engaged the women in casual conversation asking them “E kayu malungkot”? She also referred them to the PACOC for any concerns that they may have regarding their husband OFWs and to the PCEDO for those who are interested in undertaking livelihood activities “para e kayu mainip”.
The governor was assisted by lady board members Monz Laus and Trina Dizon in attending to the women beneficiaries.
Two women PWDs also left the premises with big smiles of thanks on their faces and in their brand new wheelchairs given to them on the spot.
Elizabeth Baybayan, acting provincial social welfare development officer (PSWDO), disclosed that in an initial registration of PWDs in Pampanga, registered were some 4,800, a number which the governor finds alarming. Pineda, according to Baybayan, instructed the PSWDO to concentrate on giving them all the services, medical and otherwise, that they need to make life easier for them.
Also present during the activity was Linda Singcuangco of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) who expressed gladness about the importance that the provincial government gives to women concerns. (Pampanga PIO)
