Lapu-Lapu commission aims to fight discrimination vs women

CEBU, Philippines —  Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan has vowed to make the city women-friendly, where there is no room for discrimination, violence, and abuse against women.

In time for the celebration of the Women’s Month this March, the mayor also signed the City Ordinance No. 15-142-2021 creating the Lapu-Lapu City Women’s Commission to help craft policies towards this goal.

Chan, in his speech at the program, said that the women play an important role in the society and that they deserve to be cared for, nurtured, and respected.

Under his administration, Chan said, women are “on top” as majority of the department heads at the City Hall are women.

“Gone were those days when women were defined as housekeepers. Through the years, women metamorphosed into strong, independent and empowered individuals. Women of today have become our equal partners in change,” the mayor said.

Chan added that women have likewise helped change the country’s political and economic landscape as more of them are getting involved in politics and business.

But above anything else, the mayor said, the ultimate change women have made in people’s lives is “changing our mindset on how we see them, from mere housewives and mothers, to empowered individuals and partners in progress.”

“As we celebrate Women’s’ Month, let us honor the ordinary women who, despite this pandemic stood tall and fought to keep their families safe and protected. It is the women whom we see as the greatest achievers in this pandemic, keeping their families loved and strong amidst the challenges of our time,” the mayor said.

Chan also expressed thanks to all women who stood bravely on the frontlines, leaving their families behind, and risking their lives in the battle against COVID-19.

The mayor also paid tribute to his late mother, Linda, whom he described as an independent, strong and empowered woman.

“Sa iyang kaisog, gi-anggaan namo siya og 'SPO4.' I will be forever grateful to her for the person that I have become now. Much of me was because of her,” Chan said of his mother.

Meanwhile, Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 Director Rebecca Geamala encouraged the police officers of the Cebu City Police Office to become agents of change and to continue to help the people who need them.

Geamala was the guest speaker in yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony of the CCPO, in time for the celebration of the Women's Month with the theme “Juana Laban sa Pandemya: Kaya!” — JMD (FREEMAN)