In observance of the International Women’s Month, several leading lawmakers took cognizance of the role women play amid the COVID-19 pandemic while an all-female session would govern the House of Representatives today as part of the annual tradition.
Senator Imee Marcos said she would push for a special resolution to help women by establishing programs that would tide them and their family over the worst health crisis.
For his part, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco paid tribute to all women of the Philippines for their pivotal role in nation-building even in the midst of the pandemic.
The senator acknowledged the role of mothers, women health workers and teachers, who have greater responsibilities during this time.
But she also cited the need to focus on women who are victims of domestic violence and online pornography.
“We also need to pay attention to gender specific crimes in times of pandemic.”
Meanwhile, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan celebrated the invaluable contributions in the pandemic response of Vice President Leni Robredo and all Filipino women.
He cited women doctors, nurses, and other personnel who, from Day 1, have been tirelessly serving in the frontlines as our first line of defense against Covid here and abroad.
“I want to celebrate May Parsons, the Filipina nurse in the UK’s National Health Service who administered the first vaccine there in December, he added.
Senator Risa Hontiveros asserted that women and the Filipino spirit of bayanihan are key in the COVID-19 recovery efforts.
The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, has consistently put the spotlight on gender inequality, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.
At the House, Velasco praised the women leaders and employees of the lower chamber who helped keep the legislative mill running so Congress could continue to pass pieces of legislation that respond to the needs of the people amid the pandemic.
To date, women make up 48 percent of Congress’ workforce.
Records from the chamber’s Human Resource Management Service show that out of the 4,037 members and employees of the House, 1,941 are women.The women representation in the House is broken down as follows: 8 legislators, 649 Secretariat employees, 940 congressional staff members, and 267 co-terminus and contractual workers.
Today, female lawmakers will take full control of the plenary session as part of the annual tradition in the legislative chamber to mark the National Women’s Month and the International Women’s Day.
The all-women session will be led by Deputy Speaker Arenas, president of the 85-strong Association of Women Legislators Foundation Inc. of the 18th Congress, a non-profit, non-partisan organization composed of all lady lawmakers at the House.