The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) - Biliran Provincial Statistical Office (PSO) celebrated the 2024 National Women’s Month (NWM) with the theme “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas: Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan!”

The annual celebration of the NWM is pursuant to Proclamation No. 224 “Declaring the First Week of March of Every Year as Women’s Week.” The NWM celebration aims to promote “the collective responsibility for gender equality, not solely resting on women but involving everyone.” As a national government agency, Biliran PSO values the collaborative efforts in bridging the gaps and making sure that more opportunities will be available for women and girls.

In line with the 2024 NWM Celebration, the following activities were undertaken and participated in by Biliran PSO:

a. Hanging of Streamer

PSA Biliran showed its support by hanging a streamer at PSA Building space and posting the banner on its Facebook Page.

b. Use of All Women Cast National Anthem AVP

All national and local government agencies, including PSA Biliran, utilized the National Anthem Music Video with an All Women Cast published by Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) during the Flag Raising and Flag Lowering in March 2024.

c. Wearing of Purple Ribbon

All employees, contract of service workers, on-the-job (OJT) trainees, and security guards wore the purple ribbon on National Women’s Month Opening on 04 March 2024 as support to women’s empowerment and gender equality.

d. Mga Tanong ni Juana

National Women’s Month Focal Person/Registration Officer I (RO-I) Virgilio L. Cinco, Jr. led the Mga Tanong ni Juana, a short question and answer segment after the Flag Raising Ceremony. He posed two (2) questions every Monday of March related to all women’s invaluable contribution to society and statistics. All winners received token as prizes.

e. Participation in the Provincial NWM Motorcade

The office participated in the Provincial National Women’s Month Motorcade conducted by the Provincial Council for Women’s Welfare, Inc. (PCWWI) Province of Biliran on 01 March 2024.

f. NWM Celebration Facebook Profile Frame

The employees of PSO Biliran also showed their support by updating their Facebook Profile Frame using the 2024 NWM Celebration Profile Frame.

g. Photobooth Para Kay Juana

The office setup a photobooth at the Batch Request System (BREQS) Outlet Station intended for the clients and employees. The office gave out a copy of their picture as their token.

h. BREQS Serbisyo Para Kay Juana

The office distributed tokens such as umbrella, mug, and notebook to the first five women clients of BREQS station from the office as a form of appreciation to their contributions in the society.

i. Gender Statistics Appreciation Seminar

NWM Focal Person/RO-I Virgilio L. Cinco Jr. discussed the Mainstreaming Gender in the Philippines at the Statistical Unit on 25 March. He discussed the importance of the Census on Population and Housing data on Sex Disaggregation for the Province of Biliran. He also presented the Factsheet on Women and Men available in PSA website (www.psa.gov.ph) and available men and women data on different sectors in the Philippines.

j. Tribute for Juana

The office distributed flowers and chocolates to all women of PSA Biliran on 08 March during the observance of International Women’s Day as a form of appreciation to the women’s contribution in the society.

k. #PurpleFridays

All employees observed the wearing of purple shirts every Friday of March to signify support for women’s empowerment and gender equality.

l. Participation in the NWM Parade and Women’s Congress

The office participated during the National Women’s Month and Women’s Congress on 19 March. The celebration held annually led by PCWWI and the Province of Biliran were participated by local government units, provincial line agencies, private institutions, and civil organizations. The parade route was conducted at the strategical road of the capital town of Naval and the Women’s Congress was conducted at the Biliran Province State University Gymnasium.

m. Fire Safety Prevention and Basic Life Support Orientation

The PSA Biliran employees were equipped with crucial knowledge on Fire Safety Prevention and Basic Life Support conducted by the Bureau of Fire Protection Biliran Provincial Office held at Erika’s Nature Park in Brgy. Sampao, Almeria on 26 March. The participants were given first-hand experience in proper handling of fire extinguishers and essential protocol in the event of LPG tank fire. The resource speaker also taught the proper execution of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bandage skills, and other first-aid techniques.

The month-long celebration activities honors women and their contribution to nation-building. It highlights the need to protect, promote, and fulfill women’s rights so they can maximize their potential and welfare, enabling them to be the agents of the country’s development.

SGD. RENAVIL V. CUEVA 
Chief Statistical Specialist