Bicol Women’s Foundation for Development sets a promising time for the region’s women elderly, youth and elected leaders

A much more hopeful time for the women of Bicol is coming as the region-wide civil society organization BicolWomen’s Foundation for Development (BWFD) goes back to the forefront of making women’s rights real from the grassroots up to the level of governance.

BWFD launched its “come-back” to advocacy with a direction-setting session and Gender and Development (GAD) Orientation from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Chairperson Remedios Ignacio-Rikken. For this year and next, BWFD will conduct various training and programs on women’s rights, gender-fair education, climate change and sustainable tourism for women from the elderly community, politics and government, and education sector.

BWFD held the consultation and GAD Orientation with Chairperson Rikken on September 2 and 3 at the residence of respected woman leader Dr. Angelita Ago and the Washington International School, respectively.

On the second day of the two-day event, BWFD gave plaques of recognition to the women mayors of Bicol:

• Cherilie M. Sampal of Polangui in Albay;
• Cielo Krisel B. Lagman-Luistro of Tabaco in Albay;
• Ma. Ester E. Hamor of Casiguran in Sorsogon;
• Linda P. Gonzales of Ligao in Albay;
• Gracia M. Llamado of Baleno in Masbate;
• Marilyn A. Jimenez of Libmanan in Camarines Sur;
• Jeanette R. Bernaldez of Bato in Camarines Sur; and,
• Delia C. Simbulan of Nabua in Camarines Sur.

BWFD is holding a free concert for young people on the 27th of September and a fundraising dinner-concert for women leaders and elderly on the 28th. The two nights of concert will feature the all-women music band Inkantada,and young talents from the Washington International School and nearby communities.