Women are empowered in city hall
WOMEN now constitute a major segment in the city government’s workforce.
This fact revealed by Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. during the general assembly of various women’s groups and civic association during the Women’s Month celebration at the City Plaza last March 8 was met with a generous applause from the audience.
He said the city government currently engages the services of more women civil servants and women volunteers than at any other time in Dagupan’s history.
At least 15 out of 26 department heads, or more than 50% of the city’s executive and managerial positions, are occupied by women.
“The employment of women is not heralded simply as a novelty. They were engaged because they are the most qualified for the job, no matter what the work entails,” Fernandez said.
“We want a caring, nurturing city for our children. I see a future full of possibilities and more women civil servants helps us achieve this goal,” the mayor added.
Since 2007, more women have also been hired to assist in frontline services, including traffic management, emergency assistance, education and healthcare.
“I believe in equal employment opportunity by providing more livelihood to marginalized sectors,” he said, noting that the city’s Emergency Operations Center is the first local government unit in the region to open the door for specially-abled persons.
He likewise commended the efforts of various women leaders in government, including Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez and Councilors Dada Reyna and Farah Marie Decano, who chairs the city’s committee on women and children’s affairs.
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT
In another front, 4th district congressional candidate Gina de Venecia maintains women empowerment is crucial for families, especially during an economic crisis.
De Venecia said women could be empowered further to contribute in the financial needs of the household.
”The woman today is no longer just the mother of her children and wife and partner to her husband, but is now also a ‘bread-earner’,” said De Venecia, wife of outgoing 4th District Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr., one of the most prominent veteran politicians in the country.
Speaking in a press conference on the eve of the International Women’s Day set March 8, De Venecia also called on young women not to get married at an early stage and instead pursue their studies.
She also stressed that a husband and wife should complement each other and not compete. –#LM
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