15 May 2014 - A 12-member delegation from the Association of Women Legislators Foundation, led by Pangasinan Representative Georgina P. de Venecia, is on a visit to China from May 8 to 18 upon the invitation of the International Department of the Communist Party of China. The first leg of their visit was in Chongqing in China’s southwest where they stayed from May 8 to 11.
The highlight of the visit was a meeting of the delegation with officials of Chongqing Women’s Federation and women representatives of the Chongqing People’s Congress. Both sides exchanged information and views on various topics such as the status of women in their respective societies, benefits due women employees, health care, education, employment, and other issues related to women.
Among the activities of the delegation in Chongqing were visits to the Left-Behind Children’s Home, an afterschool activity center for children whose parents left for work in more prosperous Chinese urban areas, and to the Left-Behind Women’s Association, which organizes activities and arranges employment for women whose husbands and children have left to work in urban centers. They also visited a public housing project which provides comfortable but affordable housing for low-income families.
The Filipino legislators also met with Deputy Director General Tang Wen of the Chongqing Foreign Affairs Office who hosted a dinner for the delegation. During the dinner, Representative de Venecia led the delegation in singing “Ang Pipit” (The Sparrow) and the Chinese classic “Yueliang Daibiao Wo de Xin”(The Moon Represents My Heart), charming the dinner’s hosts.
Other members of the delegation are Representatives Rosenda Ann M. Ocampo of Manila, Marie Ann S. Pernes of Siquijor, Elisa Kho of Masbate, Belma Cabilao of Zamboanga, Gwendolyn F. Garcia of Cebu, Josephine R. Sato of Occidental Mindoro, Julieta R. Cortuna of A Teacher Party-List, Mercedes C. Cagas of Davao del Sur, Juliette Uy of Misamis Occidental, Ma. Lourdes Acosta-Alba of Bukidnon and Leah S. Paquiz of Ang Nars Party-List. END