Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson (center) hands an award to lawyer Andrea Si in the presence of GAD Focal Point System Action Officer Marie June Castro, Board Member Rita Gatuslao and Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz (l-r).*Richard Malihan photo
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson led the Appreciation Ceremony for Gender and Development (GAD) Champions and Companions of the 2021 Provincial Gender Journey, at the Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City, Tuesday morning, October 25.
“We all look forward to the day when it is not anymore necessary to fight for change and equality, because humanity has already overcome the biases and predisposition inimical to the rights and well-being of women,” he said.
Lacson pointed out that the Global Gender Gap Index ranked gender equality in the Philippines as the best across East Asia.
“As a nation, the Philippines has evolved from portraying women as submissive and moderate individuals to powerful nation builders,” he said.
He said Negros Occidental continues to strengthen, create, and uphold programs and policies with regard to good practices and measures in the pursuance of gender and development.
“With the collective crises we are facing now, the health scares, climate change, poverty, conflict, and natural disasters, we cannot afford to further deepen our gender and development issues and lose the gains of our concerted efforts in the pursuance of gender equality,” Lacson said.
The awardees at Tuesday’s rites were government officials and employees, and representatives from the media, non-government organizations, and civil society organizations who have supported and promoted GAD-related projects and initiatives.
Also present were Board Member Rita Gatuslao, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, and GAD Focal Point System Action Officer Marie June Castro.*