The Uniformed and Non-uniformed Personnel in Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office (ESPPO) conducted a Culminating Ceremony of the 2023 National Women’s Month on March 29, 2023 with District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia as their Guest of Honor and Speaker.
District Engineer Junia shared the meaning and importance of the theme “WE for gender equality and inclusive society,” which according to her that the efforts in promoting Women Empowerment, Gender Equality and Inclusivity of Women in the Society are not only responsibilities of women, but should be upheld and participated by every individual in the society.
“Ang usaping Gender Equality, ay hindi ito responsibilidad lang ng kababaihan kundi responsibilidad ito ng bawat isa. At mas magiging epektibo at kapanipaniwala na meron talagang Gender Equality kung mismong kalalakihan ang magsusulong nito. Kasi kung nangagaling sa babae, nagiging self-serving ang dating, pero kung lalake ang magsusulong nito, dun palang me acceptance na ng gender equality & women inclusivity in society.” said DE Junia.
She also highlighted her experience of how she survived during her younger years when she was taking up the course of Civil Engineering and joined the construction arm of the government where discrimination against women was very rampant.
“It was really a struggle to rise in the world of male dominated fields or agency especially during those times when discrimination against women was very rampant. There were hard challenges I experienced both in my career and personal life, but the art of not giving up that one has to stand in every fall, empowered me as a woman,” said DE Junia.
The lady district engineer also appreciates how effective the campaign of Women Empowerment and Gender Equality in the society in the modern times is because women today have got equal potential provided that they are being trusted and valued.
She presented the statistics of employment of the male dominated agencies such as the PNP, DPWH, BJMP and BFP where numbers of women employment are continuing to rise.
“Hindi lang pala mga kalalakihan ang matatapang at magagaling makipaglaban para sa kapayapaan ng komunidad, maging katulong sa Infrastructure Development at maging Lider. Kaya din ito ng mga kababaihan. Kaya naniniwala talaga ako na hindi tayo BABAE LANG, kundi BABAE TAYO!,” continued DE Junia.
She also shared that women are now playing managerial roles and some are head of agencies in local and even in regional offices.
“And one-time last December 2022 when all the Department Heads from National Agencies were invited by Congresswoman Maria Fe R. Abunda, doon ko nakita na madami din kaming mga ladies na head of offices. And we are even more empowered dahil ang ating Eastern Samar Representative ay isa ding Babae, isang Nanay,” said DE Junia.
She thanked the ESPPO for making her part of the celebration and challenged the men to continue in supporting and loving the women, to never underestimate their capabilities and to empower them through encouraging words and respect.
She also advised the women to be more empowered in having courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent and guts.
Also, part of the culminating ceremony is the Awarding of Stakeholders to Mayor Gina A. Ty of Taft, Eastern Samar and Board Member Virginia Zacate of Sanguniang Panlalawigan of Eastern Samar.
There were awarding of certificates also to the Top 10 Most Awarding Women in the PNP namely Ma. Felisa Dayao (Top 1), Catherine Poro (Top 2), Dailen Duran (Top 3), Evelina Berongoy (Top 4), Cheerimay Cabrera (Top 5), Joy Serrano (Top 6), Maricris Ofanda (Top 7), Mary Jane Bongcawil (Top 8, Ma. Aizel Yopo (Top 9) and Ma. Andrea Morales (Top 10).
Meanwhile, ESSPO Provincial Director Matthe L. Aseo congratulated all the awardee and thanked Engineer Junia for gracing the event and giving inspiration to uniformed and non-uniformed personnel of the PNP.
District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia is the current District Engineer of DPWH Eastern Samar District Engineering Office and the District Engineers League of the Philippines, Inc. (DELP) Vice President for Visayas.(PR)
