DILG XII celebrated this year’s women’s month with a twist through its Café Juana, a virtual and real coffee shop, which showcased series of weekly virtual talks dubbed as “Serye sa Dose: Babae Pambihira Ka #Pag-On”.
The month-long activity started with a ceremonial cutting of ribbon and showcasing of Café Juana during its kick-off activity last March 8.
Led by Department of the Interior and Local Government XII Regional Director and RGADC XII Chairperson Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III, DILG XII featured empowered women and men through the virtual serye conducted during the four Mondays of March, where they shared their stories of strength and resilience in work and in their personal lives.
These empowered women and men leaders include DILG Assistant Secretary for Administration, Finance and Comptrollership Asec. Ester A. Aldana, CESO II, DILG Assistant Secretary for Human Resource Development ASEC. Florida Maranan Dijan, DILG Undersecretary for Mindanao Affairs and Special Concerns, Usec. Marjorie N. Jalosjos, NEDA XII Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos, OCD XII Regional Director Minda C. Morante, Municipality of Malungon, Sarangani Province Mayor Maria Teresa D. Constantino, Regional Trial Court Batch 55 Presiding Judge Dinah Jean S. Cornejo, Former DepEd XII Regional Director Francis Cesar B. Bringas, Municipality of Polomok, South Cotabato Province Mayor Honey Lumayag-Matti, DBM XII Regional Director Akmad Usman, Sultan Kudarat State University President Rolando F. Hechanova, RPAE, PhD.
A bloodletting activity, in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross-South Cotabato Chapter, was also conducted during the kick-off ceremony with a total of 16 personnel from DILG XII donating blood during the said activity.
The month-long celebration culminated on March 29 with service providers from TESDA providing various services to Juan and Juanas, which include massage, manicure and pedicure, and haircut services for a minimal fee. A total of 41 DILG personnel availed the services.
Furthermore, the Committee also distributed hand trowels and pinakbet seed packs to RGADC XII member agencies and DILG XII personnel from the Department of Agriculture (DA) XII, 600 mL 70% Isopropyl Alcohol, Face Mask, and multivitamins from the Department of Health (DOH) XII as part of the advocacy in promoting health and wellness.
Assistant Regional Director, Lailyn A. Ortiz, CESO V, in her closing message shared that for over 44 years in the history of DILG in the Region, Director Josephine Cabrido - Leysa, CESO III is the first lady director to be appointed in the position. 138 of 227, or around 60. 80% DILG XII personnel are women, highlighting their significant contributions to the workforce and the performance of the office as a whole. A sincere gratitude and appreciation was conveyed to all, who in one way or the other, made this year’s Women’s Month Celebration a success.
