KSFi calls for provincial official’s action on women’s issues

By MYRA M. TAMBOR
January 22, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  Samar’s women organization Katungod Han Samareña Foundation, Inc. speaks up and calls for the elected provincial officials to act on the issues and concern of women and gender issues in the province.

In a letter dated January 17, 2008 addressed to Board Member Casilda C. Lim, as Chairman of Committee on Women of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Lim is being requested to sponsor a Board Resolution creating the Provincial Gender and Development Council.

Katungod han Samareña Foundation, Inc or KSFi is determined to push the campaign to mainstream Gender and Development or GAD into the development consciousness of the Local Government Units in Samar into a higher gear. “We feel, now is the opportune time to go for it because we have women leaders whom we believe would appreciate what we are doing”, Ms. Nenita B. Felebrico, KSFi Chairperson said.

Samar’s Provincial Board has now five women leaders.  Former Calbiga, Samar Mayor Luzviminda L. Nacario, PCL Provincial Federation President Perfecta Sabenecio, Former Zumarraga Mayor Casilda C. Lim, a young lawyer, Atty. Eunice U. Babalcon and from the 1st District, Board Members Rosenaida A. Rosales and Pamela M. Portaleza.

KSFi cited that in this call, they are enjoining the lady legislators as a woman and as a legitimate leader of Samareñas to be one with them in this endeavor.  The organization emphasizes that Lim as the chairman of Committee on Women is in an enviable position to lead the campaign.

Mainstreaming of gender and development is the government’s strategy to implement its policy on gender equality.  This was introduced by the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women or NCRFW in 1994, but unfortunately in Samar most of the local government units according to some sources are not even aware of it.

In 2003, KSFi initiated a campaign to mainstream GAD in selected areas of Catbalogan City though it has limited funding and lacks policy support at the local level.  At present, KSFi campaign activities are limited to advocacy and training activities for women among its NGO networks.

The said organization is optimistic that their call will be properly addressed soon.  They intend to highlight women’s month celebration on March of this year by the creation of the Provincial Gender and Development Council for Samar.  “If created this will spur the campaign to mainstream GAD into the development agenda of the Local Government Units from the Provincial down to the Barangay level of the province”, Felebrico said.