Free MRT rides for women, all-female House session

MANILA, Philippines —  Women and girls can enjoy free rides today at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and the Light Rail Transit Line 2 in line with the celebration of International Women’s Day.

The free rides for women is the MRT-3’s way of thanking women for their roles in society, according to officer-in-charge and Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Jorjette Aquino.

It is also a way of honoring the talents and contributions of women in their respective fields and communities, added Administrator Hernando Cabrera of the Light Rail Transit Authority.

The House of Representatives also joined the celebration with its traditional All-Women Session.

Bulacan 4th District Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica presided the session as acting speaker.

Pursuant to Section 15 (H) IV of the rules of the House of Representatives, Speaker Martin Romualdez designated committee on women and gender equality chairperson Rep. Geraldine Roman and Reps. Stella Luz Quimbo, Maria Rachel Arenas, Anna Marie Villaraza-Suarez, Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel, Laarni Lavin Roque and Glona Labadlabad as presiding officers.

In addition, Rep. Maria Angela Garcia was designated majority leader with Reps. Angelica Natasha Co, Caroline Tanchay, Lolita Javier, Luz Mercado and Rhea Mae Gullas as deputy majority leaders.

Rep. Bernadette Herrera was minority leader, while Rep. France Castro acted as deputy minority leader.

Apart from Roman, eleven other women lawmakers delivered speeches to highlight ongoing and emerging women’s issues: Maria Fe Abunda, Richelle Singson, Ma. Cynthia Chan, Maria Jamina Katherine Agarao, Anna Victoria Veloso-Tuazon, Amparo Maria Zamora, Kristine Alexie Tutor, Marissa Magsino, Charisse Anne Hernandez, Ma. Alana Samantha Santos and Arlene Brosas.

“This meaningful celebration demonstrates our solidarity with women all over the country in honoring women’s achievements and advocating for gender equality,” Tingog Partylist Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez said.

Romualdez is the chairperson of the 86-strong Association of Women Legislators Foundation Inc. (AWLFI) which leads the annual women’s month celebration in Congress.

Adopted during the session was House Resolution 1608 authored by Rep. Christopher de Venecia and other congressmen which commends the AWLFI’s exemplary dedication to the cause of women and children since it was founded in 2011 by then representative Gina de Venecia.

As a follow-through activity, a forum organized by Gabriela Women’s Party will be held on March 13 to discuss the alarming trends on gender violence.

Villarica said, “The high point of the women’s month celebration for us is the fulfillment of our long-held dream to put up the Women and Children Protection Building for the healing clients of the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City which is scheduled to break ground on March 18.”

Meanwhile, AirAsia Philippines is mounting an All Women Crew flight today as part of its celebration.  The airline company is also dedicating an All Women Lane in honor of all the resilient and hardworking women.

On the other hand, the city government of Pasay will hold a job fair today at the Pasay City Astrodome from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to provide employment opportunities for female jobseekers.

Six thousand job vacancies will be up for grabs from 35 participating companies, according to Mayor Imelda-Calixto Rubiano.

A one-stop shop for transactions with various government agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, Social Security System, Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and Philippine Statistics Authority will also be available.

Rubiano said the city government will also offer free enrollment in vocational courses offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority such as domestic work, caregiving, housekeeping, automotive servicing, bartending and technical drafting.

Interested participants are reminded to bring a barangay certificate and a valid identification card.

The Department of Foreign Affairs Consular Offices will likewise open its Courtesy Lane to all women, specially working women and mothers, to avail themselves of passport services on March 16, Saturday.

The courtesy lane will accommodate women of any age and one immediate family member (i.e., spouse, adult children, or adult sibling) with proof of relationship or one traveling companion with proof of travel with the applicant (i.e. flight booking, or hotel booking).

All minor children of the woman applicant will also be accommodated.

The DFA Consular Office in Cebu will open a total of 500 Passport Courtesy Lane slots for women. The 500 slots will be spread throughout the month of March, on top of their usual daily threshold of courtesy slots. – Rudy Santos, Nillicent Bautista, Pia Lee-Brago