This 2025 National Women’s Month, Dagupan City, led by Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, celebrated women of all sectors, and recognized their strengths and roles through the Women’s Summit, in coordination with the Justice Zone, held at CSI Stadia yesterday, March 13.
Dubbed as, “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the summit serves as an association for Dagupeñas, emphasizing the rights women have, as they play a pivotal role in the society.
In the welcome remarks, City Legal Officer Atty. Aurora E. Valle underscored women empowerment and their contribution to the community such as in education, health, agriculture, business, government and even at home.
Mayor Fernandez shared her solidarity message highlighting the city’s commitment on implementing programs that would uplift the lives of women, ensuring that no one is left behind.
“Bilang Ina ng Dagupan, patuloy akong naninindigan sa pagbibigay ng sapat na oportunidad at proteksyon sa lahat ng kababaihan – upang higit nilang magampanan ang kanilang papel sa pag-aangat ng ating lungsod at ng buong bansa,” said the mayor.
The event also featured the women’s achievers, oath taking of officers of the newly launched program – the ‘Maaron Ina’, lectures that carried out issues about VAWC, preventing suicide, human trafficking, anti-bullying, teenage pregnancy, “Marital Obligations” and “Safe Spaces Act”, and freebies from event’s sponsors.
Moreover, this celebration serves as a venue to promote the free services of our Dagupan City Justice Zone, which intends to provide real-time justice delivery to poor victims of injustice.
Women Achievers are as follows:
- Ma. Socorro Dorotea L. Cruz, Chairman and CEO of St. Joseph Drug
- Ma. Leonora Reloza-Firme, Commission on Program, Girl Scouts of the Philippines Dagupan City Council
- Dr. Aurora Samson-Reyna, PAPAL Awardee, President of Mother Goose Special School System, Inc., Vice President on Academic Affairs of University of Luzon, Hospital Administrator of Luzon Medical Center, Inc.
- Ma. Theresa Rodriguez-Peralta, Balungao Municipal Mayor
- Julita F. Perez, Pantal Punong Barangay, Dagupan City
- Filipina Delos Santos, Malued Punong Barangay, Dagupan City
- Perla T. Cornel, Incumbent President of Girl Scouts of the Philippines Pangasinan Council, Board of Directors of Young Women’s Christian Association – Dagupan City Chapter, Board of Directors of Philippine Mental Health Association
- Dr. Feliza Arzadon-Sua, President of Universidad de Dagupan
- Dr. Gregoria P. Villaflor, Anesthesiologist of Dagupan Doctors Villaflor Memorial Hospital
- Hon. Maria Georgina “Manay Gina” De Venecia, Former 4th District Representative
- Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, Dagupan City Mayor
The event gathered participant from the ‘Maaron Ina’, solo parents, Child Development workers, PESO focal persons, Barangay and Migrant Desk focal person, KALIPI officers, Barangay VAWC Desk officers, PTA officers, scholars, PWD presidents, Dagupan City National High School students, Lyceum Northwestern University, SK female representatives, youth organizations, Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars and barangay librarians.
Joining also the event were Vice Mayor Dean Bryan Kua, Councilor Michael Fernandez, Dr. Jaja Cayabyab, Marvin Fabia, Joshua Bugayong, Justice Zone representatives, department heads.
Sen. Imee Marcos representative Ms. Ella Cruz caught the interest of the crowd with a live performance, together with Julian Trono.
Services that were formally opened to the participants include: City Health Office (CHO) – Medical Consultation; CHO – Registration Booth for Cervical Cancer and Breast Cancer; City Population and Development Office – Civil Weddings and Population Program Services; Civil Registry – Late Birth Registration/Legitimation; Legal Services; City Agriculture Office – City Agriserbisyo Orientation on Containerized Gardening and Ornamental Fish Farming- Farmer and Fisherfolk Registration; City Engineer’s Office Assistance Desk; Senior Citizen Registration; City Nutrition Office – Maternal Nutrition First 1000 Days; City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council – Disaster Preparedness; Women’s Center – VAWC PNP Women’s Desk; Waste Management Division – Goodbye Basura; Public Employment Services Office – Free Massage; Gender and Development/DALAGA – Assistance Desk/Libreng Gupit; Girl Scout of the Philippines Onsite Registration and; City Social Welfare and Development Office – Maaron Ina Registration.
