law and attain its objectives. According to her, as a strategy to implement the law, LGUs shall pursue gender mainstreaming in their respective localities such as the creation, reconstitution and/or strengthening of the LGU GAD Focal Point System (GFPS). The GFPS is tasked “to ensure and sustain the LGU’s critical consciousness in supporting gender and development, women’s empowerment and responding to gender issues.” “GFPS shall take a lead role in direction-setting, advocacy, planning, monitoring and evaluation, and technical advisory in mainstreaming GAD perspectives in the LGU programs, projects, activities, and processes,” Salazar told PIA-General Santos City explaining the salient feature of the joint circular. As customary, the provincial government of Sarangani has in the long time let its municipalities to take the lead in the observance of women’s month; however they make sure to provide technical and financial assistance to LGUs in their respective celebrations. For the city government of here, they have earlier celebrated the International Women’s Day on March 8 recognizing women’s power with awards and commendations especially those outstanding women who are doing traditional men’s job. With GenSan’s first lady on the lead, Jane Gollon-Rivera, the city tourism council’s chair, has became herself the epitome of strength and power in that celebration. In her speech, she addressed the APRIL2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
various issues pertaining to women’s empowerment and their roles that they should take on as equal members of the society. She also condemned cases of women’s abuse, trafficking, and their stereotyping as weak and only second fiddle to men, encouraging them then to all the more take a strong stance against issues concerning women’s rights. “As a woman, we have to do more. And there is nothing wrong with it. It is natural for us to do these, because together, we can do it,” Rivera articulated. The one-day celebration was focused on “Inspiring Change” to bolster women’s advancement instilling positive change toward women’s equality and vigilance against domestic violence and abuses. Among the activities also included free haircut services, family counselling and free health services such as diabetes screening, pap smear, and ultrasound. As culmination activity on April 2, the city government thru the women’s federation members said that it has in store exciting games for women. It is also expecting the arrival of Sen. Sonny Angara, who is a stalwart supporter of the various advocacies on women’s rights and empowerment. The MCW “is a comprehensive women’s human rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination through the recognition, protection, fulfilment and promotion of the rights of Filipino women, especially those belonging in the marginalized sectors of the society.” PAGE | 31