20 December 2016 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Regional Consular Office (RCO) in La Union joins the nation in the observance of the 2016 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women which commenced on November 25.
To express solidarity with the campaign, RCO La Union personnel wore orange tops as part of the "Orange Your Icon 18 Days Advocacy." The official tarpaulin of the event was also conspicuously posted at the RCO's waiting area and regularly flashed at the TV screens displayed at the processing and encoding section.
After the flag retreat on November 25, led by Officer-in-Charge Estellita V. Casuga, a short program followed to introduce to the personnel the background of the activity and to discuss the different activities for the said event.
RCO La Union conducted an "Orientation on Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC)" which was organized by the Regional Advocate on Gender Equality (RAGE 1) as the kick-off activity for the event.
RCO La Union's Finance Officer and GAD Focal Point Officer, Ms. Lina G. Catbagan attended the activity which were actively participated by almost 500 4th year college students of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Mid-La Union Campus (DMMMSU-MLUC). Speakers from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-Region 1, Philippine National Police (PNP)-Provincial Office and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Region 1 imparted their knowledge on the various aspects of the VAWC. RAGE 1 is chaired by Dr. Cherrie May B. Pocsidio, Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC), GAD Chairman.
An inter-agency quiz bee and a poster-making contest on Gender and Development (GAD) were also held at the ITRMC Conference Room in San Fernando City, La Union. This RAGE-organized activity aimed to test the depth of knowledge of its members on GAD and also to demonstrate their artistic side through the poster-making. RCO La Union's representative on GAD quiz-bee, Ms. Venus T. Valdez-Frutas bagged the 2nd place while Ms. Claudine L. Recaido, placed 4th in the poster-making contest.
To wrap up the campaign, RCO La Union supported the outreach program activity of RAGE 1 in "The Haven for Women and Children" at Dagupan City, Pangasinan. It is one of the institutions of DSWD that provides temporary shelter and protective custody for women and children who are victims of violence. A simple Christmas program was prepared and followed by the distribution of gifts to the victims residing in the institution. RCO La Union provided gifts to the children of the institution as their early Christmas present. END
