It can be a curse to be a woman under the regime of a most distrusted president—a woman. While all politicians are never spared from all sorts of criticism, I am very irked when the jokes about Mrs. Arroyo and her misdeeds are said to be because of her gender. Those critics must not put lump all women with her.
No matter how despised Mrs. Arroyo is, I am still proud of being a woman for so many reasons. Six of them I came to know in Kaya Natin!
In this month of celebrating women and women’s contribution to society, I would like to share with you some reasons to continue thanking God for women politicians despite the disgust we all feel with our woman head of state.
Of the fifteen champions we have, six, so far, represent us women. And in these women of substance, I see so much of what I hope one day to become—a trailblazing, effective, ethical and strong leader with a good sense of family and country.
Not surprisingly three of these strong-willed Kaya Natin! women come from Nueva Ecija where political killings and electoral violence seem to always pervade the province’s vast plains. One really must learn to stand her ground in places like this. Mayor of San Isidro Sonia Lorenzo is one of my favorite KN! idols.
Mayor Lorenzo transformed San Isidro from a sleepy fourth class municipality to a thriving second class municipality in less than five years!
She also has very strong bridging leadership skills as evidenced by her ability to draw prestigious private organizations such as Gawad Kalinga, the Ateneo Center for Educational Development and the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) to Nueva Ecija and help in delivering programs in her municipality. Mayor Sonia’s brand of participative governance has greatly enhanced government service delivery to her people.
Also from Nueva Ecija are Mayors Marivic Belena of San Jose and Baby Congco of Cabiao. Though she comes from a long line of traditional politicians, Mayor Baby has transformed the way her local government responds to the needs of the people with more than mere band-aid and dole-out solutions but really empowering and longer-lasting service.
In efforts to further develop San Jose City as the gateway to the north, Mayor Marivic Belena initiated the Agad na Serbisyong Bayan where health, medical and dental services and other direct forms of assistance are given to the people at the grassroots level. This way previously inaccessible services and help have reached the most needy and deserving people. She also formed Task Force Kaayusan to solve the problem of pernnially congested traffic.
Further up north, Kaya Natin! has two other women champs—Mayor Mary Jane Ortega of San Fernando, La Union, and Governor Grace Padaca of Isabela. Mayor Mary Jane is like the mother of the KN! Champs. Her brand of leadership has made her a model of a lot of local government chief executives especially in her efforts in environmental protection and rehabilation.
Touted as the media darling and favorite of the group is Governor Grace Padaca of Isabela. But do not let her charming appearance fool you. This lady is one tough cookie! Not only did she beat fair and square the well-entrenched political dynasty of Isabela, she is one local chief executive who sure knows how to get things done. Through her exemplary leadership, she has championed the interests of Isabelino farmers and the environment.
In 2007, then US Ambassador Kristie Kenney personally conferred to Padaca the prestigious International Women of Courage Award, a prize that was also conferred to former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Padaca won it for her unceasing work for the development of Isabela. In 2008, Gov.Grace was among the eight Ramon Magsaysay Awardees. The intenational RM committee gave her Asia’s version of the Nobel Prize for “empowering Isabela voters to reclaim their democratic right to elect leaders of their own choosing, and to contribute as full partners in their own development.”
One of the newest additions to the KN! family is Davao City Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta. Councilor Mabel’s nomination as one of the Ten Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines (TOCP) of 2009 is another feather on the cap of one of the hardest working councilors I know. Councilor Mabel currently chairs the committee working on the Data Banking System of Local School Board and “Love Ko ang Libro: Happy Reader, Future Leader” reading program.
The innovative data bank project will contain information on local schools that will be of great help to researchers and interested benefactors of the Adopt a School Program. The reading program hopes to “instill the basics of loving books to children.” The stories to be read are folk tales that will promote the protection of the environment and love for Filipino culture.
These are just some of the many things we can continue to be proud of as fruits of the hard work of good women leaders. Despite the disgrace we women feel when we think of Malacañang, there are reasons still to celebrate being a woman in politics!
Eirene is VP of Kaya Natin! and serves as a consultant for several organizations. “mailto: eirenejhoneaguila@gmail.com ”eirenejhoneaguila@gmail.com .
Source: TheManilaTimes.Net
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