Power demand in Cebu at 18MW during Earth Hour
By: Hazel F. Gloria
Cebu City, March 28 (PIA) — Metro Cebu saved at least 18 megawatts during the observance of Earth Hour at 8:30 pm, March 26 when several establishments and houses in Cebu city and in nearby places turned off their lights for one hour.
Department of Energy (DOE-7) regional director Antonio Labios said SM, Ayala Cebu and E-Mall joined this year’s Earth Hour celebration with Cebu City officials led by Mayor Michael Rama and other sectoral representatives gathered at the SM City Cebu on March 26.
The program started with a prayer led by Fr. Tito Soquiño which offered his prayers to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and followed by various entertainment activities.
About 60 candles were lighted for each minute of the hour-long brownout.
SM City Cebu spokesperson RJ Redula said at least 50 percent of lights were turned off at the mall that saved 3,000 kilowatt hours.
The Federation of Visayas Radio Organization who monitored power consumption for National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) recorded an 18-megawatt drop in power consumption from Liloan town in the north to San Fernando in the south.
VECO corporate communications officer Ethel Natera also said power demand dropped to 248.89MW in the franchise area of the electric company.
On the same activity, people signed their names on the Earth Hour wall set up next to the stage to signify their commitment to conserve energy with the message, “We do the best we can to save earth, Mother Nature needs us.”
Before Earth Hour ended at 9:30 in the evening, Veco noted a total savings of 18 megawatts. (PIA-7/HFG)
===========
10 Industries in Cebu sign up for ‘Adopt-a-River’ project
By: Hazel F. Gloria & Ed Llamedo
Cebu City , March 27(PIA) -- Ten industries in Cebu signed up for ‘Adopt-a-River ‘project.
Cenapro Chemical Corporation, GreenCoil Industries Inc., Maritrans Recycler Inc., JLR Construction and Aggregates Inc., Lami Food Products Corporation, Profood International Inc., Treasure Island Industrial Corporation, Primary Homes Inc., Concrete Solutions Inc., and Sunpride Foods Inc. with the local government units of Cebu and Mandaue cities signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) for the project.
DENR-7 regional executive eirector Maximo Dichoso entered a number of agreements with the business sectors for the ‘Adopt-a-River’ or Estero through the “Linis Estero” Program for them to undertake a cleanup and other rehabilitation activities in Butuanon and Guadalupe rivers and their tributaries.
“We know that there are many organizations and industries that are interested in improving the condition of our waterways which have become threats to public health and safety because of pollution,” Dichoso said.
Since most of these are tributaries of lakes, seas and oceans, and with the astounding amount of garbage we always collect during cleanup drives, maintaining cleaner waterways should be a collective priority, he added.
He likewise cited the occurrence of La Niña this year as another reason the scheme needs to be undertaken in other areas at the soonest possible time.
“We have seen and heard reports of flooding elsewhere. It may be safe to say that some of these were caused by clogged waterways, especially in urban centers,” he added.
According Dichoso, the cleanup and rehabilitation of waterways or water bodies entails minimal cost to the adopting entity, and practically at no cost at all to the government.
He also said the simplest and most doable scheme is to set up garbage traps in certain places along a river.
The adopting entity could then hire people or tap the surrounding community to periodically collect the trapped garbage to prevent these from floating downstream.
The “Linis Estero Program” is a collaborative undertaking between and among the river or estero community, donor-partner, local government units and the DENR.
The adopting entity may help in the clean up of a river or estero by providing equipment, human power, and other resources needed to do actual clean-up in partnership with the concerned local government unit, the DENR and other partners, Dichoso stated.
The program aims to institutionalize good sanitation and solid wastes management practices among the river or estero communities.
Through education and actual participation in the program incidence of water-related diseases and those associated with poor sanitation such cholera, diarrhea, and dengue, particularly among children will be reduced, he added.
Butuanon River is a 23-kilometer water body which originates in the mountain area around Metro Cebu and eventually discharges into Mactan channel.
Approximately 10-kilometer length of the river is crossing Metro Cebu area, most significantly the heavily industrialized and densely populated areas of Mandaue City .
Guadalupe River on the other hand is a 12-kilometer water body which originates in the mountain area around Metro Cebu and eventually discharges into Mactan channel.
Approximately 8-kilometer length of the river is crossing Metro Cebu area, most significantly the heavily extremely densely populated areas of Guadalupe and downtown Cebu City .
The Adopt-a-River or Estero program of the DENR encourages the business sectors, with local government units (LGUs) and other civil society groups in clean up and maintaining a particular river or estero. (PIA-7/HFG & DENR-7/Ed Llamedo)
Cebu, March 27 (PIA) -- Around 1,592 people are added to the number of unemployed in Central Visayas in January 2011. Unemployed persons in the region are now estimated at 219 thousand.
The region's employment rate or the proportion of employed persons to total labor force conversely dropped from 91.9 percent in January 2010 to 91.7 percent this year.
NSO results said employed persons who express the desire to have additional hours of work in their present job, or to have an additional job, or to have a new job with longer working hours are considered underemployed.
============
DSWD-CSO partnership strengthens Pantawid Pamily Program
By: Azenath L. Formoso & Aileen Lariba
Cebu, March 27 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) recognizes the invaluable voluntary role of civil society organizations (CSO) in promoting good governance and it has strengthened the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilya program.
As of March 2011, civil organizations such as People Power Volunteers Reform (PPVR) has been in formal partnership with DSWD-7 in strengthening the government’s flagship program on poverty reduction which is Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program also known as the conditional cash transfer.
"To ensure its success, the Pantawid Pamilya must be democratically implemented with active participation of civil society and the grassroots urban and rural communities", Secretary Soliman said.
Several planning workshops have already been conducted to empower the CSOs active participation in the monitoring and implementation of poverty-reduction programs.
The planning workshops conducted would enable the CSOs to assess every step of the Pantawid Pamilya program in order to ensure good governance and transparency in all levels of implementation.
DSWD-7 training officer, Rosemarie Salazar said, the seminars equipped the CSO’s with capability to get involve in any the following ways; coordinate with the leaders of Citizens’ Organizations for the participation of their volunteers in the implementation of the program.
Participate in Community Assemblies as part of the beneficiary identification process; on-the-ground audit of the Compliance Verification System and assist in the Beneficiary Updating System.
Assist in the implementation of the Grievance Redress System and in the enhancement and implementation of the Family Development Session.
Pantawid Pamilya is a 5-year program designed to give conditional cash grants to identifed household considered to be the poorest of the poor amounting to P500/month per household for health and nutrition and P300/month per child for education, but a maximum of three children only.
Set conditions for health include pre & post natal care for pregnant women, immunization, monthly or quarterly weighing for children and prevent health cehck-ups.
As for education, children are required to attend classes at least 85% of the time, while the grantees are enjoined to attend family development sessions to develop their own capabilities as well.
It is hoped that the program can be an important weapon in helping the poorest families step forward in the effort to create a base for a movement for “transformative social protection.”
One that sees the right to be free of poverty as a basic social right, the fulfillment of which must be the basic goal of economic and social policy. (PIA-7/MBCN & DSWD-7/ Aileen Lariba & Azenath L. Formoso)
============
Pantawid Pamilya engages participation of civil society
Cebu, March 27 (PIA) – Seventy-seven (77) national and local non-government organizations and Civil Society Organizations signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) to actively participate in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
The partnership defines the specific roles and functions of the civil society organizations and DSWD in monitoring and implementation of the poverty-reduction programs.
This is in line with the President’s directive to encourage public-private partnership in Good Governance and Poverty Reduction.
For DSWD in particular, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a system for cooperation between the two parties specifically in the delivery of basic social services to the poor; implementing development projects of the Government and instituting transparency and accountability mechanisms to fight corruption.
This may be done in any of these four ways: "Bantay," or projects and activities geared towards fighting corruption; "Gabay," a mechanism for extending technical assistance; "Kaagapay," or anti poverty projects and activities; or "Tulay," which refers to facilitating action, feedback and monitoring.
DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman in coordination with DSWD Field Offices has completed the conduct of the Convergence Road show where various volunteer groups nationwide were oriented on the convergence of the three poverty-reduction programs of the department.
The DSWD said NGOs and CSOs are now welcome to actively participate in the Pantawid Pamilya through adoption of areas covered by the program.
Partner CSOs may assess every step of the program in order to ensure good governance and transparency in all levels. The DSWD facilitates training workshop and transfer of technology to CSO members.
Volunteer organizations may be involved in any of the following ways; coordinate with the leaders of Citizens’ Organizations for the participation of their volunteers in the implementation of the program.
They can also participate in Community Assemblies as part of the beneficiary identification process and on-the-ground audit of the Compliance Verification System.
The volunteers may also assist in the Beneficiary Updating System, implementation of the Grievance Redress System and in the enhancement and implementation of the Family Development Session modules.
"To ensure its success, the Pantawid Pamilya must be democratically implemented with active participation of civil society and the grassroots urban and rural communities", Sec. Soliman said.
The Pantawid Pamilya helps the poorest families meet immediate needs and at the same time ensuring that young people have better opportunities for advancement.
It helps families to gain leverage by giving them the capacity to access basic social services to be able to help themselves break free from the inter-generational cycle of poverty. (PIA-7/Minerva BC Newman & DSWD-7/Azenath L. Formoso, IO-III)
============
Unemployment in CV at 219T
Cebu, March 27 (PIA) -- Around 1,592 people are added to the number of unemployed in Central Visayas in January 2011. Unemployed persons in the region are now estimated at 219 thousand.
The National Statistics Office (NSO) conducted the Labor Force Survey in January 2011. The results showed that the unemployment rate or the proportion of unemployed persons to the total labor force in Central Visayas increased to 8.3 percent in January this year from 8.1 percent in 2010.
According to the NSO data, the January 2011 Labor Force Survey placed the size of the labor force in Central Visayas at approximately 2.6 million persons out of the estimated 4.1 million population 15 years old and over, resulting in the labor force participation rate of 63.8 percent.
The region's employment rate or the proportion of employed persons to total labor force conversely dropped from 91.9 percent in January 2010 to 91.7 percent this year.
NSO classifies employed persons as either full-time workers or part-time workers. Full-time workers are those who work for 40 hours or more a week, while part-time workers work for less than 40 hours a week.
In Central Visayas, 16 out of 100 employed persons in January 2011 were part-time workers.
NSO results said employed persons who express the desire to have additional hours of work in their present job, or to have an additional job, or to have a new job with longer working hours are considered underemployed.
The number of underemployed persons in the region in January 2011 was estimated at 382 thousand, down by 14 percent from last year's 446 thousand. (PIA-7/Minerva BC Newman with data from NEDA-7)
============
38TH SSEAYP application deadline set on April 15
Cebu, March 27 (PIA) -- The deadline for the submission of applications for participating youth and national leader to the 38th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) is on April 15, 2011.
The SSEAYP is based on the respective joint statements issued in January 1974 between Japan and the Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore and the Kingdom of Thailand.
Brunei Darussalam joined in 1985, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1996, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the Republic of Myanmar in 1998, and the Kingdom of Cambodia in 2000, following their respective admission to the ASEAN. The main sponsor of the program is the government of Japan.
The National Youth Commission said the purpose of this program is to promote friendship and mutual understanding among youths of Japan and Southeast Asian countries.
It also broadens their perspectives on the world, as well as strengthen their motivations and abilities in international cooperation by participating in discussions, introductions of each country, and various exchange activities both onboard and in the countries visited.
In the Philippines, the SSEAYP is implemented by the National Youth Commission. The NYC takes care of the promotion, screening, pre-departure training, uniforms, country program activities like institutional visits, courtesy calls, home-stay and interaction with local youth and post program evaluation.
The NYC spearheads the SSEAYP implementation with the support of various government agencies like the Civil Service Commission, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Tourism, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Information Agency.
Philippine Ports Authority, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, Department of Health, Bureau of Quarantine Services, Presidential Security Group, Metro Manila Development Authority.
National Parks Development Committee, Department of Public Works and Highways, the City Government of Manila, other LGUs and other non government organizations/agencies like the Asian Terminals Incorporated, Philippine National Red Cross and the SSEAYP International Philippines, Inc., (the alumni organization of former SSEAYP participating youth in the Philippines).
For details of application requirements, please log in at www.nyc.gov.ph (click resources) to download application forms.
Interested applicants may call the 38th SSEAYP Secretariat, Social Marketing Division, National Youth Commission at tel nos. 4162833 or visit the NYC Office at the 4th Floor, Bookman Building, 373 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City. (PIA-7/Minerva BC Newman with reports from NYC-7)
============
Gov’t programs assist OFWs to decide to stay and invest in the country
By: Minerva BC Newman
Manila, March 27 (PIA) – Filipino workers are found in almost all countries in the world. They are second only to the Indians in terms of migration, with about 10 percent of the total population of 92 million, work and reside abroad.
As more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) remain uncertain of their future with the series of unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on Foreign Relations called on the government to ensure that laws are implemented that would help repatriated Filipinos cope with their abrupt displacement.
Legarda said that under Republic Act 10022, or the Amended Migrant Workers Act, an emergency repatriation fund for migrant Filipinos must be established, and livelihood programs for returning OFWs must be developed.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Bahrain and Yemen are currently under alert level-2 that advises Filipinos to restrict their movements but prepare for immediate relocation to safer, pre-designated areas.
In Libya, more than 13,000 Filipinos are already out of harm’s way. Official data from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s (OWWA) as of March 10, 2011 has already reached 7,959 and 7,549 of them have availed of the Php10T economic relief assistance.
Legarda said that aside from the repatriation and the provision of cash assistance to OFWs, the government must implement RA 10022 and such other laws as RA 9501, or the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Act that would help in the reintegration of repatriated Filipinos.
These laws also provide access to new technologies and regular entrepreneurship training programs for workers as well as a comprehensive development plan that would ensure the viability and growth of MSMEs in the country.
The senator urged OFWs to take advantage of these laws while government continues to encourage overseas Filipinos to engage into MSMEs.
These allowed the OFWs to make good investment out of their income and also provide more employment opportunities for other Filipinos.
“It is through this second aspect that we will be able to prevent our OFWs to go back and forth from the Philippines to different countries throughout their working life,” Legarda said.
Legarda recalled that in the 70’s ‘Katas ng Saudi’ banners were placed behind jeepneys and tricycles that tell it was an investment from overseas earnings. These were the first types of micro undertakings that the OFWs went into.
Statistics from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) showed that as of 2009, there were 780,437 business enterprises operating in the country.
Of these, 99.6 percent or 777,357 were MSMEs and the remaining 0.4 percent or 3,080 were large enterprises that generated a total of 3,595,641 jobs, while large enterprises provided for 2,094,298 jobs.
Legarda saw the huge potential of MSMEs both in generating income and employment in the country. She called on the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to conduct seminars for OFWs not only on cultural adjustment but also in preparing them for business ventures before they leave for work abroad.
“This way, our OFWs, with the help of their families, is able to plan out how much they will have to save to start a pre-identified business by the time they return to the country or even while they are still overseas,” Legarda said.
In 1984, the Philippines deployed about 351,000 Filipino workers overseas. By the end of 2008, the annual deployment has reached 1.2 million, about one million land-based and more than 200,000 seafarers.
Migration of the Filipino workers helps reduce unemployment in two ways one, is by lowering the number of workers competing for the limited jobs in the local labor market.
Second, is by creating local employment opportunities through the investment of a portion of the more than 17 billion dollars remitted by OFWs annually. (PIA-7/MBCN with reports from the Office of Senator Legarda)
============
Reactions on the impending execution of the convicted Pinoy drug mules
By: Minerva BC Newman
Cebu, March 25 (PIA) – The announcement of China that the three Pinoy drug mules will finally be executed on March 30 drew comments and reactions from various sectors in Central Visayas .
Some media in Cebu specifically Bobby Nalzaro, a prominent news anchor of GMA-7, commentator of DYSS and columnist of Sun Star-Cebu commented that the situation is so unfortunate and that though our hearts go out to them and to their families, as Filipinos, we cannot do anything about it because they have violated the laws of China.
Radio station DYLA manager Jun Tagalog on one hand said, “The Aquino government did not interfere with how China internally dealt with the case but merely requested that the death penalty be commuted to life sentence.”
Association of Government Information Officer (AGIO-7) president, Ed Llamedo opined that it is sad to know that they will be executed.
However, we have to respect the Chinese court and hopefully the decision on their execution came out after a careful and exhaustive investigation. “It’s a lesson point among OFWs to exercise due prudence when they are outside of the Philippines ,” Llamedo added.
Menchu Enopia, a dentist in Cebu City said, as a Christian, it is not right to have death penalty but in the case of the Filipino drug mules that have been proven guilty in China .
With its own laws and if those Filipinos are really guilty of the crime, the government cannot do anything about it except to pray for some miracles from God. These people knew what they were up to and they know the consequences of their actions, Enopia added.
Sales and marketing manager of Harold’s Hotel in Cebu City commented that nothing can really be done now by the Philippine government because China has already sentenced them to death penalty.
“We will just take it as a lesson learned so that this will not happen again to our countrymen abroad,” the manager said.
Beverly, a hotel worker said, crime does not pay though the best thing that the PHL government can do now is to exert more efforts to run after the mastermind behind the syndicate who are victimizing poor Filipinos.
Greg Empuerto, a businessman is saddened with China ’s final verdict of death. “I pity them and all I can do is to pray for them. The law is the law!” Empuerto said.
Lt/C Wilson Feria of the Central Command is also sad to know about the execution because they are Filipinos and are human being that God created, but that is their law.
“If they were tried in court with due process, at napatunayan na guilty sila, sa akin, wala na akong magawa. I’ll pray for them and their families na lang,” Feria said.
In Dumaguete City , the assistant provincial health officer, Dr. Felix Sy said that if the OFWs are innocents, “we feel pity for them, but if they knew that they were bringing illegal drugs, they should accept the punishment or the consequence of their actions.”
Negros Oriental Drug Abuse Prevention Council action officer, Fernando Martinez passionately said, “I would rather impose the life sentence but again we are not China dura lex sed lex. The law is harsh but it is the law least they be accused of double standard by the Chinese people.”
According to Martinez he understands that the Chinese law is more on deterrence not repatriation. “Walang Personalan.”
Negros Oriental administrator, Arnel Francisco on the other hand said that the Philippine government should not interfere with China ’s laws. “We should respect the legal processes of China , it being a sovereign country.”
In Bohol, Dr. Jude Doblas, Municipal Health Officer of Balilihan, Bohol said, that is a lesson for us to learn. There is nothing that we can do about it because the verdict is already final.
Cops in Tagbilaran, aver that as law enforcers, they must adhere to the rule of law specifically on the case of Pinoy drug mules on death row in China . “They were tried and found guilty, so there is nothing we can do now,” they said.
Roselle Pangiligan, a COMSCI instructor of Bohol Island State University said, “We should respect the Chinese law, but the government should provide the means and facilitate for the families of the OFWs to meet with the convicts before the scheduled execution.”
These are just some of the reactions and comments of people that are watching how these events will unfold in the coming days.
As can be recalled, the Philippine government provided the three Filipinos all possible legal and consular assistance.
The government ensured that their legal rights were respected and observed and their welfare protected from the time of their arrest and throughout the judicial process and even up to this day.
The Philippines respect and will abide with the Chinese laws and the finality of the verdict of the Supreme People’s Court of China.
In the past two years, four Japanese and a British national were executed in China for drug trafficking. Persistent pleas for clemency by their respective governments’ officials and diplomats failed.
Britain had done everything within its power to secure a fair trial and clemency for Akmai Shaikh who was found guilty of drug smuggling in 2007.
Prime Minister Gordon brown has intervened personally on a number of occasions. He has raised the case with premier Wen Jiabao, including at the Copenhagen summit, and has written several times to President Hu Jintao to appeal for clemency for Shaikh but to no avail.
Shaikh was executed by lethal injection on December 29, 2009.
In April 2010, four Japanese national convicted of drug trafficking; Mitsunobo Akano, Teruo Takeda, Hironori Ukai, and Katsuo Mori were executed in China even if Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada expressed concern over possible backlash from Japan in his reported meeting with Chinese Ambassador Cheng Yonghua.
According to the DFA, the families of the three Filipinos set for execution have been informed and arrangements are being made for them to depart for China this weekend to visit and see their loved ones. (PIA-7/MBCN)
===========
Displaced OFWs from Libya urged to avail
of Cebu City’s mega jobs fair next month
Cebu City (25 March) - Displaced Cebuano overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) forced to return home due to the internal strife in Libya and the catastrophe in Japan can take advantage of the biggest mega jobs fair initiated by the Cebu City Government next month.
“Over 2,000 job positions are available to jobseekers on April 14 which is the biggest jobs fair undertaken by the city government, “according to Fidel Magno, the chief of the Department of Manpower and Placement Services (DMPS) of Cebu City.
Magno said the forthcoming jobs fair is the 55th job generating activity undertaken by the city government since January, this year as part of its priority thrust to provide employment in partnership with the private sector and other national government agencies like the Department of Labor and Employment.
Around 65 companies are set to participate in the mega jobs fair.
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Regional Director Evelia Durato said the coming jobs fair “is a big help especially to the OFWs repatriated from Libya who are left with no means of income here.”
Durato said those OFWs who were traumatized by their experience in war-torn countries like Libya and no longer wish to work abroad can find local employment and be near their families.
Positions that are open include skills on welding, mechanic and foreman and professionals like nurses and sales manager while food servers are also needed.
Magno said they are also giving priority to the displaced OFWs from Libya while their experience is an advantage for them to be hired.
Durato meanwhile, said that those OFWs who prefer to work abroad because of bigger income may be referred to other accredited employment agencies for overseas deployment. (PIA-Cebu/Fayette C. Riñen)
The announcement of winners of the said searches will be in October 2011 during the celebration of children’s month. (PIA-7/MBCN & Balamban Local GAD/AAT)
Balamban wins Most Gender-Responsive LGU in Cebu
(for 1st-3rd class municipality category)
By: Abel A. Tolero
Cebu, March 28 (PIA) – Balamban town won as the most gender-responsive LGU for Cebu Province for the 1st-3rd class municipality category of the search.
Balamban mayor Ace Stefan Binghay with Vice-mayor Rosario Binghay, ABC president, Bernabe Gonzales, Jr. and the local Gender and Development (GAD) focal person Abel Tolero received the trophy and cash prize amounting to PhP100T.
Cebu governor Gwen Garcia handed the award assisted by board members, Agnes Magpale and Jose Ribomapil Holganza, Jr. during the Provincial Women’s Congress on March 25, 2011 at the CICC, Mandaue City, Cebu.
The finalists in the 1st-3rd class municipality category for the GeRL search included Liloan and Cordova towns.
The Gender-Responsive Local Government Unit (GeRL) is a yearly search for all cities and municipalities of Cebu province that the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC) spearheads.
The contest started in 2008 that aims to ensure gender-responsive governance in each municipality/city.
Its objective includes the mainstreaming of programs and services that counter gender issues and concerns as mandated in RA 7192 or Gender and Development Act.
Each year the board of judges innovate system of judging to produce only the best and the most gender-responsive LGUs.
This year PCWC looked for proofs before naming the winner through site ocular inspections to see whether the locality’s practice is in accordance with the submitted documents.
The search judges also conducted panel interviews with the key implementers that include the budget officer, rural health physician, social welfare and development officer, planning and development coordinator, local government operations officer and police officer. The focal person on Gender and Development (GAD) headed the group.
Balamban entry highlighted the women constituents who have contributed to nation building as they lay their prowess in doing men-dominated jobs at the shipbuilding company in Tsuneishi Heavy Industries.
These grueling works include CO2 welding, over-head crane operating, fairing, and flat bar lay outing and cutting among others. This would mean that Balamban LGU provided these women equal opportunity with men in terms of skills development that led to their employment.
According to Mayor Binghay the LGU will remain to be gender responsive. He directs his constituents to be gender considerate in all the projects and programs to be undertaken within the town.
“We will always be sensitive to the needs, issues and concerns of women and children in our communities,” Binghay said.
Further, mayor Binghay encourages every LGU in the province to promote women’s rights and eliminate gender biases to achieve harmony and peace not only in their respective locality but also in the entire province.
Mayor Binghay agrees with the board member’s pleas for all cities and municipalities to join again in this competition as the latter announces with high hopes the official opening of the 4th Search for the Most Gender-Responsive LGU.
Meanwhile, Balamban also received commendations for participating in the search for the Grameen for Women Empowerment Now (GWEN) and the search for the Most Child-Friendly Municipality.
The ABC president, the MSWDO and the SB members for Women and Children and CSO respectively, received the token.