An estimated 300 women and some men showed up at daybreak on March 1, 2017 in front of the Municipal Hall to join ‘Walk for a Cause,’ which was staged by the Bayambang Local Council of Women (LCW) in celebration of Women’s Month.

Sisterhood solidarity could be strongly felt as participants in pink shirts took to the streets around the Poblacion area.

In her welcome speech, Municipal Administrator Atty. Rodeynn Rajini Sagarino thanked those who came over for their support in upholding the cause of women.

“A significant number of the female contingent came from the 4Ps beneficiaries of Brgy. Sancagulis,” said Valentine Garcia, who was the main organizer of the LCW initiative.

Among the men who joined the walk of solidarity with women of all stripes were no less than Vice-Mayor Raul Sabangan and Councilors Amory Junio, Martin Terrado, and Philip Dumalanta, who each reiterated their support in words, through brief speeches.

After the walk, the participants repaired to bowls of goto at the plaza, where a short program was held. A slogan-making contest was then conducted to help capture in the shortest words possible the essence of the Women’s Month celebration. Municipal Health Officer Dr. Paz Vallo, General Services OIC Luz Bohol-Cayabyab, and Atty. Sagarino served as judges of the contest.

Three winners emerged, receiving P3,000 each. Lady Philina Duque’s entry reads, “Women not ONLY make change. We also make a difference.” The second entry, written by Jenalyn Rivera, is “Sa bawat hakbang na tatahakin, BABAE, pagbabago, ating kakamtin.” The third entry was a pleasant surprise because it was written by a man, Eric Macaranas, and it reads, “WOMEN empowerment is not an option. It’s a MUST.”

The day’s event was capped by a one-hour motorcade around the different barangays. (Bayambang PIO/Media Affairs Office)