ILOILO Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. extolled women during the opening program marking the 2022 International Women’s Month celebration at the provincial capitol lobby on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
Defensor said the Women’s Month celebration is an acknowledgment of the contribution of women in society.
The Iloilo Provincial Government has blended the celebration of the 2022 International Women’s Month with the massive clean-up campaign to prevent the occurrence of dengue fever outbreak.
Dubbed as “Women-led Provincewide Limpyo Iloilo Kontra Dengue,” the campaign aims to prepare against the possibility of rising dengue fever cases by destroying the breeding places of mosquitoes.
“We acknowledge the role of women in the challenges we are facing that is why we make them as our frontliners in our fight against dengue,” Defensor said, noting that the three-year cycle of dengue outbreak falls this year.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) tapped the help of the Kalipi women’s organization to lead in the clean-up campaign while observing physical distancing as part of the health protocol against Covid-19.
Defensor noted that “the women’s fight for equal rights, opportunities and empowerment had been resolved many years ago as we have already many women leaders all over the world,” adding that “we have a woman vice president, Vice President Leni Robredo, who is running for president this May 9, 2022 election and if she wins, she will not be the first woman Philippine president as we already had two women presidents – Cory Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.”
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Christine Garin, who also graced the opening program, said the Provincial Board is in full support of the programs and advocacies for women.
“Your Sangguniang Panlalawigan has enacted many ordinances in support of women’s rights,” Garin said.
PSWDO head Sarah Barayuga thanked Defensor and the other provincial officials for their support to the activity. (PR)