STA. CRUZ, Laguna (PIA) – The provincial government of Laguna is placing a strong emphasis on ensuring that the physical and mental health of women are attended to as it celebrates the National Women’s Month this March.

In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency Calabarzon’s Usapang PIA radio program, the province’s gender and development focal person, Merell Sales shared that some of their programs include medical drives and free leisure activities intended for the ‘stars’ of the month-long celebration.

Sales announced that they will hold a pneumococcal vaccination drive for women, together with senior citizens, and Persons With Disability (PWD).

“Although this is not exclusive to them, we will prioritize these groups because some of them are getting left behind in our vaccination program, especially for pneumococcal vaccines,” Sales adds.

The office also partnered with the Laguna Chest Center and the Provincial Health Office to facilitate a free breast examination and pap smear as part of their breast cancer and tuberculosis awareness campaigns.

“They can stop by our office for a free examination. We also launched free chest x-rays for 200 people as part of our advocacy and awareness campaign on tuberculosis,” the focal person said.

They also collaborated with other provincial departments to be able to offer free health and grooming services for women and an awareness drive focusing on skin diseases.

Beyond the month-long celebration, the GAD office and their partners will advocate for more programs and services, primarily on gender issues, the localized ordinance on safe spaces and teenage pregnancy. 

“Board members from the Committee on Gender and Development [in Sangguniang Panlalawigan] have been supportive in addressing cases of teenage pregnancy in our province. With the support of the Philippine National Police through their Women’s Desk, we are working to come up with suggestions on how the Sangguniang Panlalawigan can support our cause.” (PB/PIA-4A)

Usapang PIA is a weekly radio program by the Philippine Information Agency Laguna, streaming live every Friday, 11:00am-11:30am on DZJV 1458 kHz Radyo Calabarzon and Philippine Information Agency CALABARZON and PIA Laguna Facebook pages.