Mayor Agatep: “Women have an important role in progress be it at home, or in the community;” asks for their active participation in Natalged a Lasam’s environmental protection and livelihood programs.
The officers of the Natalged a Lasam Council for Women charted their 2023 course of actions in a meeting on January 18, 2023 at the Kinayuan Restaurant, in Centro 2, Lasam. The meeting was attended by Mayor Dante Dexter Agatep who, as the Local Chief Executive chairs the local council for women.
NLDGPs for the Town’s 75th Year
SB Member Lilibeth B. del Rosario, Chair of Committee on Women, Family and Social Services, first did a throwback to the Council officers’ and members’ Pledge of Commitment to the Natalged a Lasam Development Goal Pillars (NLDGPs) during their “A December to Remember” affair last year.
At the start of Mayor Agatep’s second term, Natalged a Lasam was adopted as a battlecry upon which LGU Lasam programs and projects are anchored on. SB del Rosario then reiterated on aligning the Council’s actions with the NLDGPs.
“Our Women Council should contribute towards the success of these goals so that Natalged a Lasam will shine like a diamond on its 75th year,” she said. Gaining township in 1950, the Municipality of Lasam will soon celebrate its Diamond Year Anniversary.
Magna Carta for Women
For her part, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Nenita D. Macaspac did a review of Republic Act 9710, the law that protects women against any form of abuse or bias.
Mrs. Macaspac described the forms of discrimination against women and outlined the scope of the Magna Carta for Women. It covers women of all ages, livelihood, religion, and others; and there should be equal rights between men and women in every aspect or in all areas of the society: be it in law, media, sports, and so on.
Bamboo to Boost Economy, Tourism
Isabella G. Lozada, former SB Member now Executive Assistant to Mayor Agatep, presented the local bamboo industry situation. Citing that Lasam is one of only nine municipalities in the province which has enacted an ordinance institutionalizing the development of bamboo industry, Ms. Lozada presented this support mechanism: DA > propagation; DENR > transplantation; DTI > livelihood; DOST > products.
Speaking as the town’s bamboo ambassadress, Ms. Lozada described why bamboo is a super plant and oriented the group of its varieties, growth rate, lifespan and its economic and environmental benefits. She then talked about Mayor Agatep’s plan of developing bamboo eco-parks along Tucalan Creek and Minanga Riverside which may also provide source of livelihood among women.
Women in Agriculture and Environment
Carmelita P. Rivera, Municipal Agriculturist, talked about vegetable production; challenged everyone to plant vegetables in their yards and followed up on propagation of seeds recently distributed. “Seeds should be planted in common gardens or in the municipal nursery for the rest of the community to share,” she said.
Elsbeth C. Merin, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer showed images of the Lasam Seedling Bank in Gabun. She then acknowledged the recent TUPAD workers for their preparation of bamboo propagules reinforcing the need for planting bamboo to protect the environment.
Engr. Merin, belabored on the Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and presented facts about solid waste generated by a single person, a family, and the entire country to drive a point on the need for waste segregation at homes.
She informed the group about MENRO’s program to replace 1 kilogram of clean plastic with 3 kilograms of rice for launching next month. Likewise, she said solid waste collection could be arranged but pick-up is per barangay.
Rural Improvement Club (RIC)
SB Member Diocelyn Damatac emphasized that RIC is for “Better Homes for Better Living.” She reported on planting 100 giant bamboo plants and 50 machiko plants, a necessary ramen ingredient, as contribution of RIC in a previous Women’s Month Celebration. SB Damatac enjoined the council to take part in the Lasam bamboo industry and asked for support to RIC “no matter how small its membership.”
The meeting of the Natalged a Lasam Council for Women was concluded with the officers’ plans for the upcoming Women’s Month. One of which is a Line Dance Contest on March 8. #
