The Pollution Control Association of the Philippines Inc. Region 4A (PCAPI Calabarzon) hosted for the third time its highly anticipated annual convention for the Women’s Month Celebration on March 16, 2018 at Acacia Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. This prestigious event is best known as a platform for a wide array of uplifting topics for our women environment warriors, activities, and exhibits presented by vetted professionals.
While staying true to its purpose of showcasing the finest women in their fields as pollution control advocates, this year’s theme, We Make Change Work for Women in the Environment, presented a fresh experience as it caters to a timely and controversial topic- the Anti-Sexual Harassment presented by Ms. Ma. Lourdes Mandalupe, Ed. D. in Counseling Psychology, of Heart and Mind Counseling and Training Center. The presentation focused mainly on identifying the types and forms of actions that are considered sexual harassment in the present day. An on-point discussion of the Republic Act of 7877: Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 was also the highlight of the presentation which is an act declaring sexual harassment unlawful in the employment, education or training environment, and for other purposes. Ms. Mandalupe was able to emphasize the rights not only of women but of every human being, to be free from being sexually harrassed in work-related, education, and training environments and on how to seek protection from the government once harrassment has been done.
Other women who also presented their talks about topics related to the event’s theme are as follows: Ms. Marjorie Arcebuche, Senior Labor and Employment Officer of DOLE-Laguna who shared about Department Orders (DO) 178-17 and 184-17; Ms. Girlie Sebarillo, GAD Focal Person of EMB-CALABARZON who spoke on Gender and Development (GAD) Programs of the DENR; and Ms. Jomica Capili, Beauty Expert, who demonstrated Image at Work: Tips on How to be Presentable.
Ms. Elaine Francisco-Ledesma, a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach was also invited to share about Unleashing Superpowers in Women. It was a highly inspirational talk about empowering women, wherein Ms. Ledesma imparted a new and powerful meaning to the acronym PCAPI: Positive emotions, Complete engagement, Amazing relationships, Purpose and meaning, and Individual accomplishments.
In addition to the yearly exhibit of environment-friendly goods and services, PCAPI Calabarzon also introduced “She is Sustainable (SIS)”, a short talk-show presentation featuring Women in the Field of Pollution Control and Environment namely, Ms. Marcel Javier of Quezon Power; Ms. Maris Barairo of Mariwasa; and Ms. Theresa Alojado of Coca-cola-FEMSA. The presentation highlighted on the three featured women, their works and achievements, and the struggles and challenges they face in their fields, balancing their roles as pollution control officers, as family-focused people and alloting time for their personal life. It was an interview-type of presentation wherein the three women confidently and intelligently answered candid questions.
In conclusion, 93 participants were able to join PCAPI 4A in this one of a kind one-day event.
