FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Philippine Army marks the beginning of the month-long Observance of the National Women’s Month during the flag raising ceremony held here Monday, Mar. 4, 2019.
Maj. Gen. Jesus B. Sarsagat, Chief of Staff, Philippine Army, presided the ceremony and recognized the valuable contributions of strong and gallant women in the security sector. He also recognized women's courage, hard work and dedication to their sworn duty that breaks the barriers of gender stereotyping.
Anchored on the theme, “We make Change Work for Women”, the Army's celebration revolves around “Malasakit at Pagbabago”. It symbolizes Army’s continuous pledge to empower and institutionalize women in the ranks. It also focuses on strengthening its effort in cultivating and tracking the progress of the implementation of the Republic Act 9710 also known as the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) that eliminates women discrimination through the recognition, protection, fulfillment and promotion of their rights.
Prior to MCW, the 1988 Proclamation of Resolution Number 20 designated March as “Women’s Role in History Month” that highlights the women’s historical contributions to the growth and strength of the nation.
In the previous events such as the Marawi siege, female soldiers exhibited the importance of women in peace keeping as some of them were directly involved in the frontline. The female soldiers were given an opportunity to provide combat support and combat service support to the force in the main battle area. The Civil-Military Operations Regiment also formed a group of female soldiers known as Hijab troopers. They aided in the implementation of programs in support of the Internally Displaced Persons and countered violent extremism through as they conducted Psycho Social Intervention and Peace Education.
Recently, 2nd Lt. Ceilo Rose U. Dolorican together with the scout platoon from 2nd Infantry (Second to None) Battalion had fearlessly encounter the Communist - NPA - Terrorist in the town of Milagros, Masbate. In that security operation, it yielded one CNT killed and the apprehension of firearms and explosives and subversive documents.
As part of the celebration of the Women's month, the Army is set to conduct a Human Immunodeficiency Virus Seminar on Mar. 26 while there is also an ongoing distribution of HIV/AIDS awareness flyers and active participation to Philippine Commission on Women's online advocacy #JUANA SAYS.
Sarsagat said that, “The Army has evolved into a more gender responsive organization and it continuously integrate the women in ground operations as part of agile force, formidable and capable of addressing various threats and challenges across the Army’s range of operation. As professional soldiers, men and women alike, and all are entitled to equal rights, equal opportunities and equal results.”
“The Army vows to sustain the gender and development program and integration of women in peace operations in order to develop their full potentials as duty bearers,” he added.
The Philippine Army extensively promotes and mainstreams the gender perspective in its system and processes to elevate the women’s role in the Command in serving the people and securing the land.#
