The kickoff activity started with a Holy Mass at San Jose Parish Church followed by a motorcade around the city’s main thoroughfares and a program at the city covered court.
Quoting Fr. Rene Herrera’s homily, City Vice Mayor Divina Grace Yu, LCW concurrent chairperson, said in her welcome remarks that “women are the source of life.”
“All of us have our own parents. We will not come to this world without our mother. This is the very reason why we (women) are called source of life,” stressed Yu.
On the other hand, Mayor Romeo P. Pulmones said he was so glad with this year’s theme - “Juana, ang Tatag Mo ay Tatag Natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong,” saying that “it is very meaningful.”
He said, I agree with Vice Mayor Yu’s statement that women are the ones who take care of us, men and their children.
“If we got ill, our wife will take care of us. If we have an appointment, our wife will prepare our clothes to use. At home, our wife makes ready the food for us [husbands] and the children,” Pulmones explained.
“In fact, men are really very much dependent on our wives,” Pulmones pointed out.
“I am so grateful to all of you, especially the wives, mothers and even the grandmothers who take care of their grandchildren,” he added.
Mayor Pulmones also expressed his all-out support to the programs and undertakings of the women’s group in the city.
Meanwhile, Zamboanga del Sur Rural Improvement Club chairperson Junaflor S. Cerilles, the activity’s guest speaker, said the so-called International Women’s Day is being celebrated every March 8 of each year.
“It is also called International Working Women’s Day with the primary reason of remembering all women who rallied, fought - others lost their lives throughout history- so that they can have a place in the society,” Cerilles said.
Even today, around the globe there are still women who are fighting for their rights to be accepted by the society, she added.
Fortunately, she said, here in the Philippines “we (women) are already being recognized, listened to and given equal rights.”
But unfortunately, she continued, there are still several women and children who are suffering from violence.
“Being the provincial chairperson, to address this problem, I urged all local government units to put up help and health desks in their respective municipalities,” Cerilles suggested.