City of Koronadal, South Cotabato – NEDA Regional Office (NRO) XII concluded the celebration of National Women’s Month with a Culmination Activity on March 31, 2022 featuring Women of NEDA 12, a trade fair exhibit, and a zumba session.

The highlight of the activity was the Division Trade Fair and Exhibit which featured various products and crafts from the divisions. ARD Carmel P. Matabang led the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the exhibit.

In recognition of NEDA XII women staff, the NRO launched its two-part “Women of NEDA XII Trivia Games” to feature inspirational women in the workplace. The first part of the game featured women in the middle and top management, while the second half featured an outstanding woman member of each division and unit either as a mother, wife, daughter or friend.

Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos congratulated everyone for the successful conduct of all the activities lined-up to celebrate the National Women’s Month. She emphasized that the NEDA XII office is already a Gender and Development Zone, even before the RGADC-initiated GAD zone seal came into being. She shared that the office has always been advocating for gender and development, thus the presence of the wellness area in the office as a safe space for breastfeeding and child-minding. She also underscored that beyond these initiatives of the office, she wanted the staff to know that the NEDA XII workspace is gender sensitive where respect is encouraged from everyone. “I respect whatever gender you choose. I respect you all as human beings”, the Director expressed.

Creative music video presentations were also presented which showcased each division’s take on the MusikJuana songs compiled by the Philippine Commission on Women. A zumba and yoga session was also conducted in the afternoon to promote health and wellness for both men and women employees. This was followed by a community singing to close the fruitful event.

This year’s theme is “Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran, capping the recurring theme, “We Make CHANGE Work for Women. (Melissa Gabrielle H. Vargas, NEDA XII-DRD)