ILIGAN CITY (PIA) — To mark National Women’s Month this March, the city government, through its Gender and Development (GAD) Office, has organized several activities focused on women’s empowerment.
A foot parade will start on March 8 at 6:00 AM, with assembly at 5:00 AM at Iligan City National High School. The parade will pass through Badelles Street, Aguinaldo, Pala-o, Plaza Alemania, and Old Gaisano Mall, ending at the City Public Plaza.
Al Azanereeh Madale, head of the GAD Office, expressed hopes for broad participation from all sectors. “We hope nga tanang sektor sa kababaihan, mutindog, mubarog ug mutingog sa tanan nga mga karapatan ug tanan paraan para madunggan jud labi na sa pag empwoer sa women diri sa syudad sa Iligan,” he said.
(We hope that all sectors of women will stand up, take action, and raise their voices for all rights and through all means to truly be heard, especially in empowering women here in Iligan City.)
To ensure everyone’s safety, GAD Office reminds attendees to avoid bringing children, pets, backpacks, and jackets to minimize potential risks.
A mass oath-taking of newly elected women’s association officers from various barangays will follow. In the afternoon, there will be a “Balak” (poetry) contest and a cultural dance competition.
The “Babae Ka-Asenso Karavan” will bring essential services, such as legal consultations, educational campaigns on women’s rights, mental health support, and health services to selected barangays.
Iligan will also launch the “Babae Ka Purple E-Card,” offering discounts from 2 percent to 20 percent at participating pharmacies and restaurants. Women can obtain the digital card by scanning a QR code on the city’s official page, completing a short survey, and receiving the card via email. The promo runs until March 31.
Participating businesses include Botico Ycsobel (2%), Sephines (30%), Skinlogics (all branches) (20%), Rivulet (20%), Chingu (5%), K Scalp (10%), Arabigo (5%), Higaonon (10%), Northern Highlands (10%), AM Restaurant (10%), House of Fries (10%), Urban Coffee (all branches) (5%), among others.
The “Babae Ka Robotics Forum” will be also held in partnership with Developers Connect to promote technology and robotics among young women. The “Alalay Kay Nanay” program will assist mothers by providing trolleys for street vendors.
In partnership with Developers Connect, the city will also conduct a “Babae Ka Robotics Forum” to encourage young women to explore opportunities in technology and robotics. The CSWD will also implement the “Alalay Kay Nanay” program, which supports hardworking mothers by providing simple assistance, such as trolleys for those selling goods on the streets, to help ease their burden while earning a living.
To close the month, a tree-planting activity, “Purple Seeds of Hope,” will take place on March 29. The initiative was launched last year in Barangay Ma. Cristina. It will focus on environmental preservation and women’s involvement in climate action.
The celebration will culminate with a tree-planting event, “Purple Seeds of Hope,” on March 29. First launched in Barangay Ma. Cristina last year, the initiative aims to promote environmental preservation and encourage women’s participation in climate action. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
