National Women’s Month Celebration in Santa Rita, Pampanga culminates with a whole day of activities centered on women and LGBTQIA+ empowerment on March 31, 2026. Dubbed as “LGU Women’s Day,” the Local Government Unit led by Mayor Reynan Calo kicked off the morning with a Women’s Walk around the major streets of the municipality followed by a free Zumba session for all attendees.
“Majority of our employees are women that’s why we have to offer a day-off for them,” Mayor Calo said. He highlighted that majority of the department heads of the LGU are women and recent LGU data shows that beneficiaries of various social services programs are mostly female.
Police Captain Elsa Casupanan oriented LGU personnel on Republic Act 9710 or Magna Carta of Women and Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act. “Empowerment starts with the awareness of basic laws and rights of individuals,” Casupanan said during her lecture.
Municipal Administrator Earl Tongol distributed hygiene kits alongside information, education and communication (IEC) materials about VAWC.
“This year, we localized the IEC materials and translated them in our local language, Kapampangan,” Tongol said. He also laid down plans to digitize data gathering to target more beneficiaries of women and LGBT-related assistance from the LGU. Social Welfare head Jacqueline Quiambao led the provision of livelihood assistance cash incentives to qualified members of the LGBTQIA+ and owners of beauty shops and salons.
She was joined by Councilor Renato Gopez, chair of the Sangguniang Bayan Human Resources committee, in distributing the assistance. Employees were also given a free make-up tutorial as part of the activities. The session was sponsored by SM City San Fernando Downtown and has benefitted 100 participants from various sectors of the municipality.
Through public-private partnership, Santa Rita women employees and sectoral representatives were able to be recognized by SM through the “Serbisyo para sa Kababaihan” initiative supported by SM Department Store manager Ms. Caroline Uaje.