Vice President Sara Duterte encouraged women in Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya to believe in their abilities as leaders to bring inclusive growth in their respective communities. Duterte was the guest of honor and speaker during the Women's Day celebration of Sta. Fe as part of the 2024 26th Kalanguya Festival. PIA Image
She had a penchant to men’s hobbies like motorcycling, practical shooting and flying an airplane in her youth with the help and exposure of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, but Vice President Sara Duterte said she learned her role as a woman leader during her stint as the first female and youngest Vice Mayor in Davao City at 29 .
During her political stint, she learned various gender gaps between men and women and struggled to overcome them until today.
Duterte graced the celebration of Sta. Fe town’s Women’s Day as part of the 3-day 2024 26th Kalanguya Festival where she encouraged women to believe in their ability and authority.
The Kalanguya Festival carries the theme: “Kultura at Lahi ating Ipagbunyi: Sulong Sta. Fe” ( Let us be Proud of our Culture and Race: Forward Sta. Fe ).
“During my stint as Vice Mayor, I had a difficult time to convince older men to believe in me and my leadership including other agencies in the city but then I was able to establish my leadership and authority,” she said.
Duterte encouraged women to do their role in nation building, especially in the countryside and inspire others in helping to bring about positive change in their respective communities.
She said women should be firm, work well with their co-workers and face problems together inorder to contribute to the inclusive development of their local governments.
Vice President Sara Duterte inspired the women sector in Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya as she graced the town's celebration of Women's Day as guest speaker. PIA Image
Duterte also praised the provincial officials headed by Governor Jose Gambito, Vice Governor Eufemia Dacayo and municipal officials of Sta. Fe headed by Mayor Liwayway Caramat for raising the bar on the protection and welfare of women in the province.
She said it was an honor for her to be invited as a guest for the town’s Women’s Day celebration and festival since it was an opportunity for her and family to thank Novo Vizcayanos who supported her all the way since the 2022 elections until her being a Vice President and Secretary of the Department of Education.
Duterte also assured Novo Vizcayanos on the help and assistance of the Office of the Vice President and DepEd.
“We stand steadfast in championing the rights that uphold the dignity and equality for women. Let us all unite for the development of our country,” she said.
The Vice President also urged Novo Vizcayanos to support the Bagong Pilipinas advocacy of President Ferdinand Marcos,Jr..
“Let us support our advocacy Isang Bansang Makabata at Makabatang Bansa (A Country for the Youth and the Youth for the Country),” Duterte said. (BME/PIA NVizcaya)
