BAGUIO CITY (PIA) - - The City Government of Baguio recognized winners of the 2024 Search for Outstanding Women Leaders (OWLs) and the Search for Outstanding Women and Children and Protection Desks (WCPD) of the Baguio City Police Office, as well as women police  officers who showed distinction in their work and in community service.

Awarded as OWL is Dr. Rufina Abul, a dedicated academician, who served as an instructor, department head, and coordinator for graduate programs and research at Saint Louis University for three decades.

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing alumna of SLU, and a Magna Cum Laude graduate with a Master’s Degree from the University of Santo Tomas, Abul specializes in mental health and psychiatric nursing. She also actively engages in crisis intervention, psychosocial processing and  in advocating mental health awareness.
 
The search is an institutionalized program of the city government and the OWLs Baguio City Inc, every Women’s Month to honor the remarkable contributions of women  leaders across diverse sectors to the overall welfare and progress of the  City.

For the search  for outstanding WCPD of the BCPO headed by City Director PColonel Francisco Bulwayan Jr, awarded as the Best Women and Children Protection Desk for the Calendar Year 2023  is the WCPD  Police Station 4.  The WCPD Station 6 and WCPD Station 3  won as first and second runners up, respectively.

Also recognized are three women police officers for their exemplary services that are significant towards the realization of the overall mission and objectives of the BCPO.
 
Awarded the  Medalya ng Kagalingan  is PSSg Khaye Estigo of the Camdas Police Station for her meritorious and invaluable service rendered as poseur buyer during the  successful buy – bust operation last January 14 that resulted in the arrest of subject person listed as high value individual.

Recipients of the  Medalya ng Ugnayang Pampulisya (Police Community Relation) are Pat. Cheryl Gumme for donating a children’s bookshelf containing story books, and one nebulizer to  the Pedia Cancer Center of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, and Pat. Gian Faye Dela Cruz for initiating and organizing a heartwarming gift – giving activity for 28 pupils of Pinsao Proper Daycare Center.

Baguio City and OWLs officials with National Police Commission Cordillera Regional Director Editha Puddoc led the awarding ceremony that highlighted the International Women’s Day celebration in the city  on March 8.

In her keynote message, Puddoc gave tribute to the prominent women, foreign and Filipinos, in various fields and generations,  who championed women empowerment, gender equality and development. She called on all women, to further forward gender equality and empowerment and bring out their full potential in achieving their dreams. and etching their own part in history.
 
“Let us celebrate the progress we have reached, but also think of the work that still needs to be done. Remember, we have gone far enough to level the playing field between genders in our country. In our ‘Bagong Pilipinas’, there are no more chains and no more walls to obstruct us. We are all free to unleash our full potential and history of our own”, Puddoc said. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)