Different symbols, different people. One cause, one color. The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 1 (DA – RFO 1) waved banners with other agencies wearing the National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) purple advocacy shirt in support of the gender equality movement initiated by the Interagency group, Region 1 Advocates for Gender Equality (RAGE) during the Women’s Month Celebration Kick-Off held on the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO 1) grounds on March 5, 2025, with the theme, “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas.”
Some 84 DA Gender and Development (GAD) advocates were invited for the celebration of women empowerment by joining activities such as: the GAD walk starting from Pennsylvania Avenue, City of San Fernando to the PRO 1 grounds, the GAD Zumba, the thanksgiving mass, and a program showcasing talents and wits of participants through intermission numbers and games.
The kick-off advocates for agencies to answer the call for equality and women empowerment. In his welcome remarks, Police Brigadier General Lou Frias Evangelista, Regional Director of the Police Regional Office 1 asserted, “This program encourages us not only to recognize the achievements of women but also to strengthen our commitment in creating a more gender-sensitive and equal society.” Hence, the activity also featured booths from participating agencies highlighting achievements and programs for men and women alike.
Winners for the Best Booth are as follows:
Champion: Commission on Higher Education
1st Runner Up: Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
2nd Runners Up: Department of Tourism, Department of Labor and Employment, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
The RAGE event was not only a call for action, but also a groundwork to plant connections, intertwining different agencies, symbols, and people, altogether to wear one color and to write one story that will lead to a society where men and women are equal. As urged by Ms. Mikaela Karina M. Ortega, guest of honor and speaker, “Own your story, the one already planted. . ., it is what will give us courage to create the new Philippines we want.”
