The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII celebrated the 2021 National Women’s Month in support of the National Government’s Gender and Development programs.
This year’s theme is We Make Change Work For Women… Juana Laban sa Pandemya: Kaya! A series of activities were conducted on March 18 and 22 to heighten awareness of the celebration. The MGB Regional Office No. XIII employees took part in the activities.
On March 18, the Gender and Development Seminar cum Garden Salad Making Competition was held. The virtual seminar was conducted in the morning via Zoom Platform at the MGB Regional Office No. XIII Training Center in Surigao City. At the start of the event, Regional Director Glenn Marcelo C. Noble delivered the opening remarks. Atty. Aurora Luanne R. Cembrano-Ramos, Attorney IV of the Commission on Human Rights-Caraga Region, graced the event. Atty. Cembrano-Ramos delivered a very insightful inspirational message in her capacity as the Focal Person on Women of CHR Caraga.
At the seminar, Ms. Cecilia L. Consuegra, Chemist IV and GAD Focal Person, gave the Rationale of the Activity. It was followed by the presentations of Engr. Brenice Ann M. Gendeve-Castillo, Engineer IV, and Mr. Jose Salve E. Cabiling, Chief of Finance and Administrative Division. Engr. Gendeve-Castillo gave a very engaging presentation on the Salient Features of Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act 9710) while Mr. Cabiling discussed the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act (Republic Act 11032) at length.
The seminar aimed to encourage the participants to take part in the celebration and take pride in the extraordinary roles of ordinary women in society as instruments of resilience and change especially in this time of pandemic. The seminar served as a venue for the participants to discuss issues concerning women as they advocate Gender and Development programs and initiatives in the minerals industry. At the end of the presentations, an open forum ensued wherein the participants raised questions concerning the topics presented.
To wrap up the morning event, Engr. Verlin Marie M. Baldapan, Officer-in-Charge of the Mine Management Division, gave the closing remarks.
In the afternoon, the vibrant and stimulating Garden Salad Making Competition took place. Open to groups of employees of the MGB Regional Office No. XIII, the competition aimed to motivate individuals adept at cooking and food preparation with the intent of nurturing their culinary skills as they advocate healthy cooking, good nutrition and anti-food wastage during the pandemic.
At the competition, each division was represented by a group of three employees. Each group prepared two salads with dressings inspired by the theme of the 2021 National Women’s Celebration in honor of ordinary women who play extraordinary roles and rise above challenges with much hope and courage amidst the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The groups were given a time limit of 1.5 hours to prepare the salads. The Board of Judges comprised Engr. Verlin Marie M. Baldapan, For. Enjie G. Pacillos-Cañete and Ms. Rhodora B. Tan.
Below are the winners with their salad entries:
| 1st Place | Finance and Administrative Division |
| Name of Entries | Garden Salad with Egg Yolk Dressing |
| Garden Salad with Mango Dressing | |
| Members: | Margie Ann P. Ensomo-Abulencia |
| Delia A. Beringa | |
| Melyn B. Delamede |
| 2nd Place | Mine Management Division |
| Name of Entries | Veggie Salad ala MMD |
| Tropical Fruit Salad ala Minera | |
| Members: | Glynis Irene S. Buot |
| Lilibeth P. Gimoto | |
| Darius M. Wenceslao |
| 3rd Place | Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division |
| Name of Entries | 2020 Juana Salad |
| Juana’s Harvest | |
| Members: | Floreviel C. Deguito |
| Wenelyn S. Madera | |
| Estephanie A. Odchimar |
| 4th Place | Geosciences Division |
| Name of Entries | Women Fruity Salad |
| Women Garden Salad | |
| Members: | Kate A. Boquilon |
| Rubenar L. Cagubcob | |
| Apple Jeanne U. Vargas |
The day ended with a delightful salad feast wherein the employees sampled the delectable concoctions.
On March 22, the Gender Sensitivity Orientation and Volleyball Friendly Games were held. The event started with the Opening Remarks of Mr. Romeo M. Dalodado, Chief of Geosciences Division. It was then followed by the presentations of Dr. Cosnarie Espuerta Seguis, Medical Officer III of Department of Emergency Medicine-Caraga Regional Hospital and Ms. Kate Boquilon, Senior Geologist. Dr. Seguis gave a presentation entitled New Normal: Fight or Flight. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, the necessity of intensifying awareness of the global health crisis is truly imperative. Dr. Seguis gave a one-hour talk on the current state of the pandemic in Surigao del Norte. The discussions reinforced the participants’ vital roles in the fight against the pandemic. On the same note, Ms. Boquilon walked the participants through her presentation entitled Women and Geology in which the important role and contributions of women in the field of geosciences were highlighted.
Towards the end of the morning event, Engr. Francis Glenn N. Suante, Officer-in-Charge of the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division, imparted the closing remarks.
In the afternoon, Ms. Cecilia L. Consuegra, Chemist IV and GAD Focal Person, discussed the Importance of Gender Sensitivity. Following the day’s lectures and discussions, the day culminated in the Volleyball Friendly Games participated by the employees.
In the same way, the Gender and Development Focal Point System of MGB Regional Office No. XIII also conducted the following activities:
- Hanging of the official 2021 National Women’s Month Celebration tarpaulin;
- #Purple Mondays Initiative;
- Radio Program on the 2021 National Women’s Month Celebration;
- Distribution of GAD-related and COVID-19 IEC materials such as Republic Act 9710 (Magna Carta of Women), Republic Act 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995), Know Your COVID-19 Vaccines and COVID-19 vs. Allergies; and
- Distribution of advocacy shirts to employees.
Towards the end of the celebration, a culmination program was held on March 29 in which the awarding of prizes for the winners of the Garden Salad Making Competition and Volleyball Friendly Games took place. Similarly, tokens were given to resource speakers in grateful recognition of their invaluable contributions rendered to the GAD seminar undertaken. The concerted efforts of the MGB Regional Office No. XIII employees led to the overall success of the 2021 National Women’s Month Celebration.