Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), through its PFDA Gender and Development Focal Point System (GAD-FPS), joins in the celebration of the 2022 National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC 2022) with the theme “We Make Change Work for Women: Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran”, on March 1, 2022.
The PFDA-GAD FPS conducted a virtual kickoff program to launch the agency’s participation in this month-long annual celebration that will highlight the gains achieved for women and girls, assess actions towards gender equality, and look forward to steps that must be taken to ensure progress in empowering women.
As the main highlight of the program, the PFDA-GAD FPS invited five outstanding and empowered women of PFDA to serve as guest speakers and to deliver short messages of inspiration for the hardworking women of PFDA. Guests included Atty. Fatima Dennise D. Briones of PFDA Legal Division, PFDA-Bulan Fish Port Complex Officer-in-Charge Ms. Jacqueline B. Pauig, CPMISD Officer-in-Charge Ms. Gina J. Reyes, Internal Audit Department Manager Ms. Gloria P. Vasquez, and PFDA Assistant General Manager / Chairperson, PFDA-GAD FPS Executive Committee Ms. Iris R. de Vera.
According to AGM de Vera, the times have changed for women. The AGM proudly said that there are women who are now leading various organizations in the fisheries sector. Nowadays, some women are working and operating regional and municipal fish ports across the country. She also emphasized how women are now leading every important decision-making that can help improve the fisheries industry.
“Bilang isang ahensya na buo ang suporta sa mga kababaihan, patunay ang pfda na mas uunlad ang isang organisasyon kung ang mayroong pantay-pantay na karapatan at oportunidad para sa lahat. Sama-sama po nating ipagbunyi ang buwan ng mga babae sa sektor ng pangisdaan. Lagi nating tatandaan na hindi tayo “babae lang”. Malalakas tayo at marami tayong kayang gawin,” AGM Iris said.
PFDA-GFPS Technical Working Group Overall Head Mr. Mc Christian Macaranas expressed his appreciation to everyone who attended and actively participated in the virtual kick-off to close the program. Mr. Macaranas said that this month-long celebration of women is a recognition that everyone, women and men, should work together to overcome every challenge and hurdle in life.
“Aside from celebration, this event is a protest to remind us that women are important in nation-building and decision-making, hindi lang sa opisina, maging sa buong bansa… Yakapin ninyo ang inyong mga nanay, ate, at lola and remind them that they are loved,” Mr. Macaranas said.
During the program, Mr. Miguel M. Pilarta, Head, Committee on Advocacy, Linkages, and Capacity Building, presented the lineup of National Women’s Month activities.
As a true advocate of gender sensitivity, the PFDA continues to take its part in the celebration of women’s valuable role in society and proves that inclusive and sustainable development is only possible when gender equality becomes obtainable.
Ms. Mary Anne Kristine R. Ramos of PFDA ASD-HRD and Ms. Camille An I. Moog of PFDA-OSD served as the hosts and moderators of the kickoff virtual program.
(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division with photos from Regional Fish Ports)