by Lito Dar

BAGUIO CITY, Thursday March 17 – In line with the celebration of Women’s Month, the Balikatan sa Kaunlaran, a pioneer women’s organization in the city headed by Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, gave recognition to the city’s best performing barangay women’s organization in a simple program at the SM City Baguio, Saturday.


The Samahang Kababaihan Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Pangkaunlaran (SKKKP) of Irisan Barangay headed by Rose Wasan, won the top prize. The group envisions total women empowerment, economic independence, spirituality, physical, and education for women.



The SKKKP advocates and produce waste recycling, herbal and ornamental/organic gardening, and women’s wellness. It also provides mass feeding at day care centers and implements parenting seminar and operation timbang – for day care children in their barangay

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The Women’s Association of Middle Rock Quarry and Gibraltar Barangay KALIPI women’s organization, won second and third places, respectively.



Ambiong Barangay Women’s Organization and East Bayan Park KALIPI Women’s organization bagged fourth and fifth places.


Consolation prizes were also given to the women’s organization of barangays: Lualhati, Gabriela Silang, Victoria Village, Lopez Jaena, Holy Ghost extension, San Roque, M. Roxas – Teachers Camp, Loakan Liwanag, Kalipi ng Loakan, and Imelda Village.


All the winners were given plaques/certificates of recognition and some cash prizes.


In opening the program, Tabanda, who also chairs the City Council’s Committee on Social Services, Women and Urban Poor, stressed that the Balikatan instituted and continuously implement the search for the best barangay based women’s group, in recognition of what the women have done in the barangay level in terms of environment, health, education, nutrition, livelihood. Most importantly, on the protection of women, women empowerment, and the promotion of gender equality and development.


In line with the Magna Carta for Women, Tabanda stressed that the said bill captured almost all of the Millennium Development Goals which promotes and recognizes the needs and the rights of women. Thus, Tabanda called on all the women’s group, including the men that participated in the event, to support the implementation of the Magna Carta in bringing the battle to a higher level. There is still much to be done especially on our fight against poverty, she urged.


In her message, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-CAR) assistant regional director Godelyn Iremedio congratulated all the women’s groups present.


“Malayo na ang nararating ng kababaihan. Sa pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan bilang isang sector. At sa pagkilalang ito sa women’s organization sa siyudad ng Baguio, unti-unti ng naiaangat ang pagtingin sa ating mga kababaihan, sa ating mga karapatan,” Iremedio said.


In line with the country’s commitment with the UN Millennium Development Goals, Iremedio called on everyone, women and men to help the government achieve the goals and to continue with their share in the advocacy.


Iremedio also assured the participants that the DSWD will always be with the women sector in pushing for a genuine empowerment, through its programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the KALAHI-CIDDS.* (PIA CAR)