Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), through the PFDA – Gender and Development Focal Point System (PFDA-GFPS) and the Public Information Division (PID), launched a kickoff program in observance of the 2024 National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) on March 4, 2024, at the PFDA Central Office Grounds, Quezon City.
This year’s celebration bears the recurring theme, “WE for gender equality and inclusive society” and sub-theme, “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas; Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, patutunayan!”
During the kickoff event, the PFDA also launched its first-ever Women’s Month special exhibit entitled, “Kwentong PFDA: A National Women’s Month 2024 Special”. The month-long exhibit showcases the inspiring stories of strong, smart, and courageous female clients of PFDA Regional Fish Ports nationwide.
To open the program and the exhibit, PFDA-GFPS Technical Working Group (TWG) Assistant Overall Head Ms. Mary Ann D. Daquer said that this month is a celebration of the strength, intelligence, and immeasurable talents of women in whatever challenges they face.
“Ang araw na ito ay hindi lamang para sa mga kababaihan ng PFDA. Dahil ang araw na ito ay para sa lahat ng nagsusulong sa pantay na karapatan at oportunidad para sa lahat… Walang kasarian ang pamumuno. Walang kasarian ang pagsisilbi sa bayan. Walang kasarian ang pagtulong sa kapwa,” Ms. Daquer proudly said.
Afterward, PFDA-GFPS TWG Overall Head Mr. Mc Christian Julius A. Macaranas II, Assistant Overall Head Ms. Mary Ann D. Daquer, Head of the Sub-Committee on Advocacy, Linkages, and Capacity Building Mr. Miguel M. Pilarta, and member of the Sub-Committee on Infrastructure, Project Mainstreaming, and Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG) Application Ms. Elaine Grace R. Gonzales led the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Kwentong PFDA exhibit.
Ms. Ma. Arlyn E. Andagao of the Internal Audit Department hosted the kickoff program.
(Mark Angelo N. Perez with photos from Paul Vincent R. del Rosario and Katherine Ericka H. Cornejo – Public Information Division)