Celso cites women’s role in nation building
Mayor Celso Lobregat assisted by District I Cong. Beng Climaco presents a token of appreciation to broadcaster Korina Sanchez, guest speaker in the Marcha Para Las Mujeres, a fund raising campaign initiated by the city's GAD in coordination with the Local Council of Women. Looking on are Councilor Luis Biel III, Dr. Mila Fernandez and Josephine Pareja. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday highly praised the women sector for its crucial role in nation building, as he reaffirmed his support to all women-related plans and programs.
In a message before thousands of participants in the Marcha de Las Mujeres, a fund raising drive aimed to support marginalized women groups, Lobregat said the city government has been and will continue to consider the women welfare and protection programs implemented by the Gender and Development (GAD) as a priority thrust.
Lobregat, who is the GAD Honorary Chairman said the women play a very important role in the development and progress of the city, thus, their protection and welfare should be one of the primordial concerns of the local government.
Themed “Mujer, tu el buen exito del Pais”, the Marcha de las Mujeres had popular broadcaster Korina Sanchez, wife of Liberal Party Vice Presidential candidate and Sen. Mar Roxas as the guest of honor during the program held at the Joaquin Enriquez grandstand in Baliwasan.
The march, participated by thousands of women and some men coming from the different government and non-government agencies and multi-sectoral groups of the city, kicked off at Valderozza Street and culminated at the grandstand where the program was held.
The activity was organized by the city government through the GAD in coordination with the Local Council of Women Zamboanga City Chapter.
The fund raising campaign was intended to help support the needs of the women inmates at the City Reformatory Center, the clients at the Women Crisis Center and the clients of Ward 9 at the Zamboanga City Medical Center.
Councilor Lilia Nuno, GAD Vice Chair thanked the different agencies that participated in the march and for contribution their resources for the benefit of the women in crisis situations.
Congresspersons Beng Climaco of District I and Erbie Fabian of District II also lauded the women sector for its contribution to society and cited some of the measures they initiated for the benefit of the sector in the House of Congress.
The funds collected during the march were formally turned over to the Local Council of Women Zamboanga Chapter led by Dr. Milagros Fernandez. (Sheila Covarrubias)