09/03/2026
๐๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฎ๐ ๐ช๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป'๐ ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต, ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ ๐๐น๐ผ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐!
The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office I (DA-RFO I), through its Gender and Development (GAD) program, spearheaded the kick-off ceremony for the celebration of March as Womenโs Month during the Monday flag raising ceremony at the DA-Regional Field Office I Ground Floor, City of San Fernando, La Union. This event marked the beginning of a month-long tribute to the invaluable contributions of women in agriculture and rural development.
In her sharing on the elements for this yearโs theme of womenโs month celebration, โLead like the Babaylans: Filipinas,โ DA-RFO I's GAD Focal Person, Ms. Edilyn C. Goldara underscored everyoneโs collective action and commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women in the agricultural sector.
Giving emphasis on GADโs crucial role in ensuring that women's voices are heard and their contributions are recognized and valued, Ms. Goldara further emphasized the focus of this yearโs celebration of Filipinas leadership, strength and wisdom inspired by the pre-colonial babaylans (community leaders) while promoting gender-responsive policies and programs that benefit women farmers, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the region.
RTD for Operations, Engr. Dennis Tactac in his message gave emphasis on the role of both men and women in nation building while emphasizing that gender equality is a shared responsibility.
Meanwhile, recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, the celebration provided an avenue to promote and uphold ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities with the unity quiz bee participated in by among the DA employees where simple token was given to those who have actively participated and enthusiastically answered the prepared questions.
Another highlight of the kick-off ceremony was the participation of Ms. Joselyn Estolas, Regional Awardee as Outstanding Rural Women from San Juan, La Union who delivered an inspiring message, sharing her experiences and insights on the challenges and opportunities faced by women in agriculture like her. Emphasizing the resilience, hard work, and dedication of rural women in contributing to food security and community development, her words sent a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting and empowering women in rural areas. She called for increased access to resources, training, and opportunities for women to further enhance their skills and contribute to the growth of the agricultural sector.
Aside from the unity quiz bee, another highlight of the activity is the conduct of a weeklong-Kadiwa ng Pangulo participated in by 30 women association members in the region including the Department of Trade and Industryโs Diskwento Caravan which offers basic and prime commodities at a reasonable price.