Year 2020 is a turning point in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) in the

Philippines as it marks the 45th founding anniversary of the Philippine Commission on Women, which is
the national machinery on women. Under the banner theme, “We Make Change Work for Women,” the
celebration endeavors to bring together women and girl leaders from various generations towards a
collective agenda of empowering all women and girls.

My respect to our Municipal Mayor Hon. Shem G. Garay, our Hon. Vice Mayor Atty. Tito A. Canedo III,
SB Members around, Committee Chair on Women and Family Hon. Mary Grace G. Lim, honored
guests for today’s celebration, Barangay Officials, Women’s Organization of the different barangays,
Hinatuan South, North and West Districts Faculty and Staff, and to everybody around, a very
meaningful and delightful day to all of us.

To start our celebration, May I request everybody to please stand for the opening prayer to be led by
Lily Palma, Brgy. San Juan Women’s Organization President.

After the prayer….

Please remain standing for the singing of the Philippine National Anthem…

After the National Anthem…

Please settle down. Women increasingly inhabit top-ranking roles in traditionally male-dominated

industries including performing arts. And so, to formally open the 2020 National Women’s Month
Celebration, let us all witness the MFWO Presidents of the 24 Barangays of the municipality for the
Opening SALVO…

After the Opening SALVO

Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way
the world perceives that strength. To welcome this morning, let’s hear it from the woman with pure
strength to protect women of the Municipality, our MSWDO Maam Elsa B. Lindo for her welcome
address, a round of applause please.

After the welcome address…

Thank you Maam Elsa for the hospitable remarks, indeed, we are all pleased to be here. Women are
the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world. And so, let us witness an intermission number from
the teaching staff of Hinatuan South Central Elementary School. Let us give them a big hand please.

After the intermission

Thanks HSCES Teachers for the amusing number. No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the
potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens. To give us a
message is the man who always pushes gender equality and motivates women by uplifting projects for
them; let us put our hands together for our Municipal Mayor Hon. Shem G. Garay…

Thank you Mayor for the motivating words.

At this juncture, let us all be entertained by the teaching staff of Hinatuan North Central Elementary
School, a round of applause please.

Thank you Hinatuan North Central Elementary School teachers for that engaging number.