The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII is one with the nation in celebrating the 2018 National Women’s Month with the theme We Make Change Work For Women.
A series of activities were conducted to heighten awareness of the celebration. A film seminar on the award-winning advocacy film “Boses” was conducted to MGB RXIII employees on March 15, 2018 at the MGB Training Center in Surigao City. The film seminar comprised a film viewing session with discussions on Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) which was facilitated by Ms. Mary Grace L. Dela Concepcion of Erasto Films. The film seminar aimed to promote the continuous pursuit of achieving a VAW-free community through everyone’s commitment and contributions to end violence against women and children.
The highlight of the said celebration was the conduct of the We Make Change in the Minerals Industry: Women Inspiring Women Forum on March 16, 2018 at the Philippine Gateway Hotel in Surigao City which was spearheaded by the MGB RXIII Gender and Development Focal Point System (GADFPS).
Women employees from Caraga mining firms took part in the forum together with a considerable number of MGB RXIII employees. A very insightful Welcome Remarks was given by MGB RXIII Regional Director, Engr.Roger A. De Dios, followed by the Rationale which was imparted in detail by Ms. Cecilia L. Consuegra, MGB RXIII Laboratory Section Chief.
The said event comprised a series of presentations on various topics by noted women personalities who excelled in their respective fields. For the morning session, Sr. Maribel S. Ortega, OSB gave a talk on the Spirituality of Womanhood. Judge Evangeline S. Yuipco-Bayana (Ret.), Chairman of the People’s Law Enforcement Board of Surigao City, gave a comprehensive presentation on the Salient Features of the Magna Carta of Women. Ms. Florian T. Trinidad, GAD Focal Person and Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Center for Women’s Training and Development of Surigao del Norte, gave a presentation on Gender Sensitivity. For the afternoon session, Engr. Verlin Marie M. Baldapan, Engineer IV of MGB RXIII, presented the Role of Women in Mining. Ms. Elaine L. Galido, MGB RXIII Supervising Geologist and Section Chief of the Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology Section of Geosciences Division gave a presentation on Women in Geology. The Role of Women in Social Development was presented byMs. Karen L. Gacosta, Department Head of the Community Relations Office of Carrascal Nickel Corporation. A presentation entitled The Role of Women in Environmental Protection was given byMs. Phoebe Jean G. Alac, Senior Environment Officer of Cagdianao Mining Corporation.
At the event, Magna Carta of Women brochures were distributed to better inform the participants of their rights. Republic Act No. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women of 2009 is a comprehensive women’s human rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination against women by recognizing, respecting, protecting, fulfilling and promoting the rights of Filipino women, especially those in the marginalized sector.
An open forum ensued after the morning and afternoon sessions. On the same note, the film seminar on the advocacy film “Boses” was also conducted by Ms. Dela Concepcion of Erasto Films. Towards the end of the event, the participants took part in an uplifting unity dance to celebrate the joys and challenges of womanhood. Mr. Jose Salve E. Cabiling, MGB RXIII Finance and Administrative Division Chief, delivered the Closing Remarks.
