The Gender and Development Focal Point System (GADFPS) of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office (RO) No. XIII supported the National Government’s 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW).
With the theme “VAW-free Community Starts with ME,” the campaign supports the National Government’s goal to protect the rights of women and children and its commitments to address all forms of gender-based violence. While the campaign comes at a most challenging time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it continues to underscore the significant roles of individuals in fighting violence against women and girls which can be achieved by empowering individuals to know and claim their rights and to educate them where to seek help in cases of violence.
The MGB RO No. XIII GADFPS conducted a GAD Seminar in the morning of December 4, 2020 via Zoom Platform with the employees as participants. On behalf of Regional Director Glenn Marcelo C. Noble, MGB RO No. XIII Chief Geologist Romeo M. Dalodado delivered the Welcome Remarks. It was followed by the Rationale which was given by Ms. Christie A. Apale, MGB RO No. XIII Environment Section Chief.
No less than Atty. Jerefe D. Tubigon-Bacang, Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights-Caraga Region, graced the event. Atty. Tubigon-Bacang delivered a very insightful and timely message in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Regional Development Council-Regional Gender and Development Committee Caraga.
The said event comprised a series of presentations on various topics. Ms. Cecilia L. Consuegra, MGB RO No. XIII Chemist IV and GAD Focal Person, revisited the Basic Concepts on Gender and Development. Atty. Jeffrey P. Galido, Municipal Administrator of Claver, Surigao del Norte, discussed the Anti-Sexual Harassment Law while Ms. Mye Karla C. Semblante, MGB RO No. XIII Geologist, presented Understanding Geologic Hazards.
At the event, campaign videos entitled Violence Against Women Throughout The Life Cycle and We Can Be Violence-Free were viewed by the participants. On the same note, they were also given the chance to ask questions regarding the presentations and discussions.
The event culminated in the Awarding of Certificates of Appreciation to the presenters, followed by the Closing Remarks delivered by Mr. Jose Salve E. Cabiling, MGB RO No. XIII Finance and Administrative Division Chief.
In the afternoon, the Collage Making Competition was held. It aimed to motivate MGB RO No. XIII employees adept at art, design and innovation with the intent of nurturing their creative skills as they support the anti-VAW campaign. The essence of resilience that women in the fields of mining and geosciences have manifested in the time of pandemic in keeping with the campaign theme was depicted in the collage entries. Below is the list of winners.
Collage Making Competition
Title of Collage: Noncyclical
Title of Collage: No one can BEAT me
Title of Collage: Signal
Title of Collage: Embracing the New Normal
In its efforts to continue the advocacy, the MGB RO No. XIII GADFPS took the initiative of holding the said activities in support of the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW which is an annual nationwide observance spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women. In the same vein, the activities underscored the role of women, together with men, in the minerals industry as advocates of VAW-free mining communities, women’s empowerment, responsible mining and authentic socioeconomic development.