CO La Union Celebrates 2018 National Women’s Month and 2018 International Women's Day
OIC Estellita V. Casuga delivers her welcome remarks during the kick-off activity in celebration of the 2018 NWM.
03 April 2018 LA UNION – The Department of Foreign Affairs Consular Office – La Union joins the nation in the celebration of the 2018 National Women's Month and International Women's Day. CO La Union spearheaded various activities for the said women’s month celebration commencing from the posting of tarpaulin with the theme: “We Make Change Work for Women” and continuous playing of videos on Magna Carta of Women located at this CO’s waiting area, processing and encoding sections for daily viewing of the applicants while waiting for their turn for the processing and encoding of their passport applications. Also, NCWM 2018 official logo was also displayed at the television monitor located at the processing section.
On 05 March 2018, as a kick-off activity in celebration of the 2018 National Women's Month, the officers and staff of CO La Union, together with its applicants with slot schedules from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and other walk-in applicants participated in singing the Lupang Hinirang music video with All-Women cast that presents the successful contributions of women in different sectors. This was followed by a short program where CO La Union’s Officer-in-Charge Estellita V. Casuga informed the public on the overview and objectives of the celebration. Administrative Officer Judelyn M. Cuaresma also informed various scheduled activities of this CO, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and Region 1 Advocates for Gender Equality (RAGE1) for the whole month of March 2018. IEC materials on the Magna Carta of Women and 2018 NWMC were also distributed to the applicants after the program.
On the same day, CO La Union also organized a free physical check-up and blood typing for all passport applicants. Said activity was in cooperation with the Local Government and City Health Office of the City of San Fernando, La Union headed by Dr. Arman S. Carrera and was held at this CO’s processing area from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The objective of the said free physical check-up and blood typing activity is to remind everyone to give importance to their health and wellness. A total of 80 passport applicants availed of the free physical check-up composed of 49 females and 31 males.
On 07 March 2018, CO La Union personnel also joined the Walk for Gender Equality organized by RAGE1 which commenced at 6:00 a.m. from the City Plaza to Don Mariano Memorial Marcos State University. The said walk aimed to widely spread the advocacies and objectives of RAGE1 and 2018 NWM on women empowerment.
Different activities were held inside the university after the walk: one-hour Zumba dance which was led by the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) Zumba Group, messages from Dr. Paulito C. Nisperos, DMMMSU MLUC Chancellor, Dr. Cherrie May P. Laroco, MD, MHA, DPPS, and GAD Focal Point Officer of ITRMC followed by variety show, showcasing talent exhibitions of different agencies and gender sensitive parlor games
The said one-day activity was participated in by various government and non-government agencies and other colleges and universities in the City of San Fernando, La Union.
On 08 March 2018’s celebration of the International Women’s Day, CO La Union distributed hygiene kits to 100 online and walk-in passport applicants on an hourly basis. OIC Casuga briefly discussed to the passport applicants on the overview and the advocacies of this event. Administrative Officer Cuaresma informed on various activities of CO La Union, RAGE1 and the 2018 NWM. All applicants were participative and delighted in receiving the hygiene kits.
On 14 March 2018, CO La Union’s GAD Focal Point Officers, Ms. Cuaresma and Ms. Venus T. Valdez-Frutas, participated in the "Serbisyo Para Kay Juana at Juan", a service/trade fair organized by RAGE 1 held at the CSI Mall Activity Center in San Fernando City, La Union.
The event aimed to gather in one venue, all government agencies in Region 1 with frontline services and introduce to the public the services offered by each agency.
CO La Union distributed GAD-related IEC materials as well as passport requirements to a total of 62 inquiring public distributed as follows: forty-two (42) females and twenty (20) males. Also, this CO answered various queries on the online appointment, dual citizenship, assistance-to-nationals and other consular-related matters.
On 26 March 2018, as a culminating activity, OIC Casuga and Ms. Valdez-Frutas attended the "Talakayan Tungkol Kay Juana" organized by RAGE 1 held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas City of San Fernando, La Union.
Topics discussed during the event were Teenage Pregnancy, Domestic Violence, HIV and Sexual Orientation.
The symposium were well-attended by representatives from various government agencies, state universities and public schools of Region 1. END
Left photo: Applicants avail of the free physical check-up and blood typing. Right photo: CO La Union joins the Walk for Gender Equality organized by the Region 1 Advocates for Gender Equality.
Left photo: Representatives from various government agencies and state university with frontline services participated in the "Serbisyo Para Kay Juana at Juan", held at the CSI Mall Activity Center in San Fernando City, La Union. Right photo: Panelist during the “Talakayan Tungkol Kay Juana”, (left to right) Ms. Clarivel C. Banzuela (DSWD FO1), Mr. Garre R. Garcia and Dr. Aurora L. Valdez (ITRMC), Prosecutor Maribelle C. Uminga (DOJ), Atty. Anna Leah T. Romero (CHR RO1) and Ms. Maria Cristina F. Martinez (POPCOM).