Tingog Party-list Rep. and House Committee on Accounts Chairperson Yedda Marie Romualdez recently led lady lawmakers in ensuring the protection and promotion of women’s rights in Congress.
As Chairperson of the Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. (AWLFI), Romualdez gave her message during the group’s oath-taking ceremony Tuesday at the Malacañang Palace.
The Association is composed of all the lady legislators in the House of Representatives. Since 2010, it has dedicated itself to strengthening the position of women and the welfare of children in society.
In her message, Rep. Romualdez acknowledged the achievements of the foundation in ensuring the protection and promotion of the rights of women are not overlooked and continuing its endeavors to advance the legislative agenda of all women.
In attendance were President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo, and AWLFI President Linabelle Villarica.
Mr. Marcos, before he left for the APEC summit in Bangkok, called on the Filipina legislators to break barriers for women and help the administration end the violence against women.
“As you take your oath, remember the pledge that you will carry throughout your role as women leaders who will break barriers not only for your fellow legislators but for every Filipina as well,” he said, as quoted by state-run Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM).
“It is my hope that you will continue to support this Administration in preventing and eliminating violence against women and children, fostering a gender-sensitive form of governance, and promoting equal opportunity and employment for women,” he added.
The Filipina solons who took oaths before Mr. Marcos were Romualdez (chairperson); Linabelle Ruth Villarica (Bulacan 4th District, AWLFI president); Florida Robes (San Jose Del Monte City, AWLFI senior vice president); Emmarie Ouano-Dizon (Mandaue City, AWLFI internal vice president); and Ma. Lucille Nava (Guimaras, AWLFI external vice president).
The AWLFI, composed of 86 lady lawmakers, is a permanent bloc that works to advance the women’s legislative agenda by lobbying for the passage of measures aimed at empowering women from all sectors of society, as well as protecting the welfare of children in communities.
Since its inception in 2010, the AWLFI has already filed nearly 1,400 bills on e-governance, electronic commerce, telemedicine services, urban development and housing, fiscal policies, food security, education, health, disaster resilience, labor and employment, social services, protection against discrimination and abuse, and urgent amendments to existing laws.
Mr. Marcos hailed the AWLFI members for pursuing social programs, which include fund-raising activities, relief operations, and breast cancer awareness.
Assuring the AWLFI of his strong support of its advocacies, the President expressed hope that they would also support his administration’s efforts in protecting and promoting the welfare of Filipino women and children.
“These endeavors will serve as the building blocks of our dream to build a more equitable society. After all, we can only claim that we are truly progressive if everyone can be assured of a brighter future,” Mr. Marcos said.
“I am confident that your pledge will translate into concrete actions, borne out of our collective promise to uplift the lives of every Filipino,” he added.