CEBU, Philippines - In consonance with the celebration of the International Women’s Month, women employees of the Mandaue City hall enjoyed a half day holiday with pay yesterday from the city government.
The women employees who compose majority of the 3,000 city hall employees welcomed the move of the Cortes administration saying it was “recognition of the important role women play in nation-building.”
First Councilor Diosdado Suico, representing Mayor Jonas Cortes who was on an out-of-town appointment, announced during the program held in front of city hall that in view of the tradition, all employees are given the privilege to be on a half-day holiday with pay.
But department heads were ordered to maintain a skeletal force for continued service. But majority of those assigned in offices such as the Mandaue City Hospital and City Health Department were ordered to remain at the offices.
Of the 574 regular employees, 402 are women, according to the records of the Human Resource Management Office.
On the other hand, of the 1,789 job order workers majority are also women. Job order employees are paid on a daily basis of P265 per day.
Suico said women should be treated equally with men citing Catholic doctrine that God created woman from Adam’s ribs. not from his head or feet.
Hundreds of women clad in violet t-shirts and belonging to women organizations from the different barangays under the umbrella of Women of Mandaue Federation (WOMANFED) attended a Mass at 6:30 am at City Hall Plaza followed by a parade within the area, a flag ceremony, and a program.
Violeta Cavada, head of City Social Welfare and Services explained that violet was chosen as the official color on the basis that violet is the result of the combination of blue and pink which speaks of their ideal status as co-equal with men.
Mayor Jonas Cortes’ wife, Sarah, chairperson of Gender and Development Council (GAD) in her welcome remarks announced a line-up of activities intended to enhance gender sensitivity and women’s rights.
These include, Cancer Awareness Seminar for government women employees, March 16, 1:30 pm at EMCO; Gender Sensitivity Awareness Training for women inmates, March 23, whole day at BJMP, Effective Reaffirmation of Paternal Abilities (ERPAT), March 24, whole day, EMCOR; Women’s Summit, March 26, at the Sports Complex, among others. – Flor Z. Perolina (FREEMAN NEWS)