Women Pols, Community Leaders Cited

Five elected officials, two NGO workers, two community leaders, and an artist were recognized at Club Filipino in San Juan on April 12 for their achievements and “exemplary practices in politics and governance.” The women editors and writers of Newsbreak were also given a special Bayi Citation.

The Bayi Citation, after the Visayan term for women who hold important positions in society, was given by the Institute of Politics and Governance, in cooperation with the Barangay Bayan Governance Consortium, One World Action, and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. It was the second time that the Bayi citation was given. The first batch of awards was given in 2005 to 10 women.

Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos and Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel have been cited this year for their “transformative” leadership.

Santos, 43, is known for having prioritized health and education services in her nine years as mayor. Running for governor of Batangas this May, Santos said she has several programs lined up for women empowerment under the “Hearts” strategy. “Hearts” stands for health, education, agriculture, roads, tourism, and security for Batangas constituents.

Although she had received many awards before, Santos said the Bayi Citation was special because there was no money involved. “This is one recognition na hindi mapapantayan, walang pera ito. The difference is that it’s not an award na may binili ka (because you bought something), it’s an award ng pagkatao mo at ng nagawa mo, [kaya] nakilala ka (for the kind of person and the achievements that you have become known for),” she said.

Baraquel, 34, encouraged women “to continue becoming more full and authentic persons and to contribute what we can to our ‘Inang Bayan.’” She’s been admired for being able to balance single parenting (she’s a widow) and political work.

If and when her political party wins three seats in Congress again, Baraquel said she as nominee will continue to push for several gender bills pending in Congress such as those addressing gender quota in government, prostitution, reproductive health, discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders, and the proper implementation of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2003.

Three more public officials were honorees for 2007: • Erlinda Palloc-Cinco, the 53-year-old mayor of Lope de Vega town in Northern Samar. A licensed nurse and a former provincial health officer before becoming a politician, she’s cited for her “Silhag” program. “Silhag,” which means “transparent” in Visayan language, is also an acronym for the services that her administration has prioritized, namely education, infrastructure development, health and sanitation, agricultural development, and good governance. • Myrna Schreurs, 45, the mayor of Garcia-Hernandez town in Bohol who is seeking a third and final term this May. A former local public works officer, Schreurs has implemented livelihood, health, and environmental programs that corresponded to the actual needs of her constituents. The key in her management style has been to involve the residents of every barangay in crafting various aspects of the municipal development plan. • Merlina Lopez, the barangay chair of Barangay Talahik in Surallah, South Cotabato. For years the only woman village head in her town, she is now running for municipal councilor after, she believes, having proven that “lahat ng kaya ng lalaki, kaya din ng babae (women can do what men do).” She’s known to run after cattle rustlers, punch drunkards, and fire guns to stop those who cause public disorder in her area.

Four community leaders also received the Bayi Citation. Conchita Masin, 62, led fellow farmers in the town of Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental in their struggle to own lands. She continues to spread awareness about land reform issues as chairperson of the municipal-wide organization called Barug Katauhan.

Luisita Esmao, head of Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka, has also fought vigorously for land rights in Quezon. Dentist Amarylis Ng-Abecede, 47, is a member of the Medical Action Group that delivers medical and health services to farflung and poor barangays. Engineer Irene Bringas is part of the NGO in Abra that has been successfully monitoring the implementation of infrastructure projects in the area. Her group has exposed several overpriced or low-quality projects undertaken by the government.

Recording artist Bayang Barrios, 39, who recently released her third folk-rock album called Alon, was cited for her “unwavering determination to affirm indigenous identity and culture.” The child of Monobo parents from Agusan del Sur, Barrios said she has composed a song, still unrecorded, called “Babaeng Makapangyarihan,” about a woman’s enlightenment on social upheavals.

The Bayi award is in line with the IPG’s Women Political Leadership Formation Program, which trains women in communities to become politicians.

“We want women to join the contest for power, in the elections and seeking positions in government since we believe women are generally excluded from the mainstream, especially from politics,” said Jennifer Albano, Executive Director of the IPG.

“Although the women are doing many things for their community, it’s a lot easier if they are part of the government to institutionalize all the reforms and projects for women,” she added.

According to the Center for Women’s Studies in U.P. Diliman, in the last 64 years, only an annual average of 10% of all elective posts were occupied by women. This year, however, the Albano said there are more women voters as well as more women vying for political positions.

Special citations were also given to the women of Newsbreak for their “fearless pursuit of truth and their integrity and professionalism”; Subic rape victim “Nicole,” her mother, and lawyer Evalyn Ursua, for their courage in pursuing the case against American soldiers and therefore challenging the system; the women farmers of Hacienda Velez-Malaga in Negros Occidental for keeping up the fight for land reform (the award was accepted by a teary-eyed Florenda Hilario, 48); and Col. Magtanggol Gatdula, director of the Quezon City Police District, for his Bantay-Bugaw project, which actively coordinates with the Coalition Against Trafficking of Women and trains policemen on gender sensitivity and ethical treatment of women victims of trafficking.

Previous Bayi Citation awardees include Haydee Yorac, Department of Budget and Management Secretary Emilia Bocodin, and Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca. -- Kristine Servando