Gov’t execs widen support for Sarangani women

Sarangani Gov. Miguel Alcantara-Dominguez administers the oath to the new set of officers of WINDS (Women in Development of Sarangani) during the provincial culmination of the International Women’s Month in Alabel town. (photo courtesy of Cocoy Sexion/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE).

Board Member Eleanor Constantino-Saguiguit, Sangguniang Panlalawigan chair of the Committee on Women, Children and Family Relations, delivers her opening message during the provincial culmination of International Women’s Month celebration at Montana Resort in Alabel, Sarangani. (photo courtesy of Cocoy Sexion/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE).

MALUNGON, Sarangani – Top government officials express strong support to the women sector and announced the upcoming release of some P100M-worth health and microfinance projects that would provide ample healthcare and women’s entrepreneurship to push the government’s economic development and poverty reduction objectives.

Gov. Miguel A. Dominguez and Malungon town Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino, in separate occasions, stressed the impending release of some P100M-worth government budget amid the celebration of International Women’s Month at the municipalities of Alabel and Malungon, here.

Dominguez said the P50M-worth funding that will be distributed in various towns will not only enhance the provincial healthcare services, but will also help women achieve the considerable benefit to household income. He said this undertaking will also promote the government’s gender development goal that would ensure women of extensive participation in capacity development, sexual category enhancement, and unparalleled opportunity to self improvement.     

“In respect of their competence as being our mother and broad-spectrum managers of every household, I will not anymore allow the usage of addressing our women with the word plain housewife,” said Dominguez, who instead, compulsorily stressed the mandatory use of special wife in addressing women in all official papers that are being submitted to the office of the governor.

Dominguez also assured the establishment of a stronger health care program which includes the hiring of more nurses for Sarangani.   

Board Member Eleanor Constantino-Saguiguit, chairperson of committee on women, children and family relations, said the congregation of some 500 women leaders during the provincial culmination at Montana Resort in Alabel town dubbed as “Magna Carta ng mga kababaihan, kaagapay sa pagunlad ng ating bayan,” was demonstration of women’s desire to prove their capability in development building and an effective and essential approach in fighting poverty.

 “This province believes that progress cannot be achieved without equal access to decision making, planning, political participation, education and productive resource allocation. So through micro-finance projects, our women will be set with equivalent opportunity to prove their ability in establishing small enterprise and or gain remunerative system of employment,” Saguiguit said.    

Meanwhile, some 2, 000 members of the Municipal Women Council in Malungon town much-admired Mayor Constantino’s annoucement regarding the upcoming releases of some P4.5M-worth microfinance projects to 55 different women’s organization in the municipality.

Constantino said the project is a joint undertaking stressed by Sarangani Rep. Manny D. Pacquiao, Gov. Rene A. Dominguez and the local government of Malungon.

Roselyn, Constantino’s better half and the MWC honorary chairman, said the main objective of the local microfinance project is to uplift the present plight of local women and also to boost employment opportunities in the locality.

“Sa ganitong paraan ay hindi lamang magkakaroon ng pagkakataon ang ating mga kababaihan na maipakita ang kani-kanilang kontribusyon para sa ikakaunlad ng kanilang pamumuhay, kundi maging sa paghubog din ng magandang kinabukasan ng kanilang mga anak sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong sa mga ito na makapag-aral sa mga matataas na pamatasan,” Roselyn said in a vernacular.

She said it is because that the mayor also firmly believes that the only vital way for his people to escape hardships in life cause by poverty, is through proper education of their children to have a more decent and well-paid employment.

 

In a huddle with newsmen, the chief executive said providing local students with wider education could be a long way for other government officials, but it is the knowledge that no one in this world could ever take away from them (students).    

 

“The sustaining growth of woman-owned enterprise could be of great help for every family to sustain the needs of their children in aspiring for higher education. And this program will be of great help to our present 517 students under the free-educational assistance of my administration,” said Constantino, adding that “I am always serious in my governance and mission for the good of our children through proper education kay gina-preparar ko gid ini sila para makakuha sang maayo nga klase sang trabaho kag pangabuhian kung sila naman ang ara sa aton lugar bilang mga ginikanan sa pag-abot sang tama nga panahon. And with your presence today (women), I am already inspired of doing what I have started for the good of all.”

 

As of these days, LGU-Malungon is reportedly spending over P10M per year in its EAP by extending at least P10, 000 yearly allowances to the student scholars of Mindanao State University, Golden State College, Stratford International, Ramon Magsaysay Memorial College, Holy Trinity College, Mindanao Polytechnic College, Southpoint Collge, University of Southern Mindanao, Site Driving School, University of Mindanao, Southern Philippine Adventist College, Kieth William College, GFI, AMA, John Paul College Davao and the Davao Brokenshire College.  (Isagani Palma).