Gender and Development Specialist, Ms. May Angelica A. Saludez of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) commended the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) in championing women during the 2024 National Women’s Month Celebration kick-off activity on March 4.

“Napaka-supportive pa rin ng PHilMech hanggang ngayon pagdating sa women economic empowerment. I would like to thank and congratulate Director Alvindia and of course the GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) of PHilMech,” the GAD Specialist said.

In line with the focus of this year’s sub-theme “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas: Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan,” Saludez emphasized the need to uplift the rights of women during her discussion on “Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Pagtutok sa Kakayahan ng mga Kabahaihan.”

“Let us break the glass ceiling, bigyan natin ng karapatan…bigyan natin ng plataporma at magandang environment ang mga kababaihan para maipakita ang kanilang kakayahan,” she said.

She also stressed that this call for action is not only for women but for everyone. “Gender Equality is for all of us,” she pointed out.

As a challenge, Saludez encouraged the PHilMech management to intensify support for women especially in male-dominated fields such as agriculture, fisheries, and engineering.

PHilMech Director IV and GFPS Chairperson, Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia pledged to provide women in the workplace, the equal opportunity as they also play an important part in the implementation of the agency’s programs, projects, and activities.

“Through the years, I believe that PHilMech never missed giving importance and voice to the women of our agency. From the representation of women in the management committee, to having women scientists, women cooperators and women group stakeholders, award-winning women researchers, engineers, communication practitioners, and even to having respected lady guards, we have witnessed that women are not just efficient public servants but also leaders,” the Director said.

“This culture we nurtured here in PHilMech has to continue even beyond our time. Women, regardless of their position in PHilMech, should feel that they belong to this community, that they have a voice, that they can also be leaders, and that they can also become catalysts for change,” he added.

Dr. Alvindia assured that the management will keep supporting the welfare of women and will continue working hand-in-hand with them “tungo sa isang Patas na Lipunan sa Bagong Pilipinas.”