In Negros Occidental, the empowerment of women has been a driving force for over three decades. This year, the province celebrated 30 years of the Beijing Platform for Action and the Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development. The Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality (WEGE) Awards, held on January 31, 2025, highlighted the significant contributions of individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing women’s rights and gender equality in the region. Organized by Marie June Pavilliar Castro and the Province of Negros Occidental, led by Governor Eugenio Jose V. Lacson, the awards served as a reminder of the continued fight for gender justice, recognition, and inclusion.

The Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality (WEGE) Awards in Negros Occidental celebrate individuals and organizations that have made remarkable contributions to advancing gender equality and empowering women. This year’s recipients exemplify dedication and resilience in various fields, from media and education to social work and grassroots activism. They have not only been instrumental in advocating for gender equality but have also contributed to shaping a society that fosters inclusive progress especially in Negros Occidental

Awardees and Their Contributions

Among the distinguished awardees was Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, Among the distinguished recipients of the WEGE Awards was Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue—an inspiring force in the fields of law, governance, and digital innovation, and a lifelong advocate for the rights of women and children. Atty. Batapa-Sigue has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing gender equality and social justice through her multifaceted work as a lawyer, policy maker, civic leader, and ICT champion. Her pioneering efforts have made a tangible difference in addressing critical issues such as human trafficking, gender-based violence, and the underrepresentation of women in policymaking.

As a three-term Bacolod City Councilor (2004–2010), Jocelle authored groundbreaking ordinances that institutionalized the protection and empowerment of women and children, and promoted gender equality across all levels of local governance. Her legislative efforts addressed urgent social protection needs and created systems that became models for other LGUs.

1. C.O. No. 423, Series of 2006 – The Gender and Development (GAD) Code of Bacolod City
   • Institutionalized gender mainstreaming in all city programs, policies, and activities.
   • Provided the legal foundation for integrating gender-responsive planning and budgeting in Bacolod City.
   • Led to the establishment and strengthening of the Bacolod City GAD Council.
2. C.O. No. 453, Series of 2007 – Creation of the Bacolod Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in Persons (IACAT) and TIP Help Desks in Seaports
   • Established a multi-sectoral local council to combat trafficking in persons (TIP).
   • Mandated the creation of help desks at key transit points like seaports to protect potential trafficking victims and coordinate rescue operations.
   • Positioned Bacolod as a model LGU for TIP prevention and survivor protection.
3. C.O. No. 411, Series of 2006 – Protection and Barangay Registration of Household/Domestic Workers (Kasambahays)
   • Required barangays to maintain a registry of domestic workers to help ensure their legal protection and access to support services.
   • One of the earliest local ordinances acknowledging the rights of kasambahays, even before the passage of the national Batas Kasambahay.
4. C.O. No. 448, Series of 2007 – Implementation of the Law Against the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Promotion of the Alternative Learning System (ALS)
   • Localized RA 9231 by institutionalizing city-level mechanisms to combat child labor.
   • Encouraged the city’s support for ALS to provide education and reintegration pathways for child laborers.
   • Fostered multisector collaboration to address the root causes of child labor.
5. C.O. No. 438, Series of 2007 – Institutionalizing the Observance of Social Work Week (June 13–19)
   • Recognized the contributions of social workers to child protection, gender-based violence response, and family welfare.
   • Mandated activities that promote the value of the social work profession and community-based services.

Strategic Gender Leadership and Impact

As Chairperson of the Bacolod City Gender and Development (GAD) Council, Atty. Batapa-Sigue:

• Led the integration of GAD perspectives into all departments and barangay development planning.
• Oversaw gender sensitivity trainings and implementation of the city’s GAD Code.
• Advocated for increased GAD budget allocation for women’s economic empowerment and child protection initiatives.
• Helped build Bacolod’s reputation as a gender-responsive and inclusive city government.

Her pioneering policy work continues to influence local and national gender policies and has earned her recognition as a key figure in promoting gender-responsive governance in the Philippines.

Beyond the halls of local legislation, she has emerged as a national leader in promoting women’s economic empowerment through technology. As the current Undersecretary for ICT Industry Development at the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), she spearheads national strategies aimed at fostering inclusive digital transformation. She continues to advocate for the active participation of women in the ICT sector—emphasizing the role of digital skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship in empowering women economically and socially.

Her recognition as a WEGE Awardee reflects not only her decades of service and advocacy but also her visionary leadership in building a future where women and girls are empowered as leaders, innovators, and equal partners in nation-building.

Maria Ester “Mate” Espina is the founder and executive director of the Media Advocates for Reproductive Health and Empowerment (MARhE) and the managing director of Xpresscom, a local television channel. Through MARhE, Espina trained media practitioners in the Visayas on gender-sensitive and investigative reporting, particularly focusing on women and children’s issues. Her advocacy work expanded across the region, and in 2003, she was awarded a fellowship at Berkley University in San Francisco. She has continued to raise awareness on reproductive health through seminars, write-ups, and columns. Espina is also an artist who has performed in The Vagina Monologues and directed theater productions that highlight women’s issues.

Dr. Pilipinas Ma. D. Jareño’s advocacy for gender equality began during her college years at Philippine Normal University-Manila, where she pioneered the Kabataang Urduja, a student-based feminist organization. As a faculty member at Central Philippines State University, she integrated gender studies into the curriculum and served as the pioneer Focal Person for Gender and Development (GAD). Dr. Jareño’s work extends beyond academia, as she has been involved in educating couples on gender-sensitive and pro-life parenting within her religious community. In 2021, she received the Negros Occidental Governor’s Achievement Award for her contributions to conservation and gender equality.

Dr. Juliet A. Jeruta is a former educator and a long-time advocate for gender sensitivity. She worked with Development Through Active Women Networking (DAWN) and was instrumental in integrating gender awareness into various educational programs. As a former school superintendent and regional director for the Department of Education (DepEd), Dr. Jeruta introduced gender sensitivity training for educators and school administrators, impacting thousands of students and staff. Despite retiring in 2019, Dr. Jeruta remains active, giving talks on GAD, mental health, and providing educational resources, particularly following personal grief from the loss of a son during the pandemic. Dr. Jeruta is the NOGSC President since July last year.

Dionela Flores-Madrona began her career in women’s advocacy as an officer of GABRIELA and went on to found the Women’s Initiatives for Social Empowerment (WISE). She has been a key figure in the establishment of the Provincial Council for Women and played a significant role in lobbying for its creation. With extensive experience in government social work, Dionela now heads the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) in Talisay. Her work includes strengthening programs for women’s empowerment, particularly during Women’s Month celebrations and the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW. She is also an advocate for child trafficking prevention and an active member of MOMs Across Negros.

Dr. Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga is an outstanding academic and social worker dedicated to empowering the youth. A summa cum laude graduate and top performer in the PRC National Licensure Examination for Social Workers, Dr. Verdeprado-Mangga holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Development Management. She has worked extensively with the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific (CATW-AP) and served as the national president of Youth and Students Advocating for Gender Equality (YSAGE). Through her leadership in Sowing Legacy Movement, Inc., she has mentored youth on gender-based violence, media literacy, and social justice, and has received several awards for her contributions to social work and community service.

Dr. May Olorga has been an associate professor at the Technological University of the Philippines-Visayas since 1998, where she served as the chair of the Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS). Under her leadership, the university became a model of gender responsiveness, with programs addressing gender-based violence and advocating for gender-fair language. Ms. Olorga also spearheaded community outreach activities that involved indigenous people (IPs) and persons deprived of liberty (PDL). Her work has been pivotal in transforming the university into a more inclusive and gender-sensitive institution.

Dr. Ma. Cristina Basa-Orbecido started her advocacy for women’s empowerment during her time as a media practitioner at Bombo Radyo. She later joined government service, where she became the school administrator at the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC). Dr. Orbecido integrated Gender and Development (GAD) into the institution’s mission and vision, pioneering the Negros Occidental Training for Work Scholarship Program, which has empowered over 5,500 graduates, predominantly women. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, she quickly adapted by launching online training programs and webinars that expanded the reach of NOLITC’s services locally and internationally.

Rosalinda Tuvilla, JD, a long-time advocate for women’s and children’s rights, founded the Women Advocates of Talisay for the Promotion of Children’s Rights (WATCH) in response to a surge of sexual violence in her community. She has worked with GABRIELA-Negros to organize educational campaigns and support services for victims of violence. Tuvilla’s efforts led to significant campaigns, including the closure of adult film theaters in Bacolod and the cessation of mail-order bride practices in the region. As the Secretary of the Provincial Council for Women, Tuvilla has been an active force in promoting women’s rights and economic empowerment.

Among this year’s awardees is Ma. Naty M. Bayona, a dedicated public servant from Candoni, who serves as the focal person for the Women and Disaster Programs of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and Secretariat of both the Provincial Council for Women (PCW) and the Provincial Committee Against Child Trafficking, Child Pornography and Violence Against Women. Since 1998, she has led grassroots advocacy and community capacity-building efforts on gender sensitivity, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (RA 9262), and the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act (RA 8972). Known for her commitment, Naty often travels to far-flung areas using her own resources to deliver critical services and training.

Also recognized is Ma. Victoria Geolingo-Cañete, who served as the founding Secretariat of the PCW from 1995 to 2005. As a Community Affairs Assistant under the Provincial Public Affairs Office, she played a crucial role in organizing women’s councils, providing gender sensitivity training, and facilitating the empowerment of marginalized sectors such as indigenous peoples, fisherfolk, and rural women. She actively supported legislative campaigns and led efforts like the Centennial of the Women’s Movement exhibit and coastal clean-up programs that continue to impact communities like Sipalay City today.

Celia Flor, current Bacolod City Councilor and feminist advocate, was honored for her more than 30 years of work in advancing women’s rights, both locally and nationally. She is the Executive Director of the Development Through Active Women Networking (DAWN) Foundation, which she helped establish, and was instrumental in setting up the Bacolod Women’s Center, the first shelter for victims of violence against women (VAW) in the province. She played a vital role in the formation of the PCW in 1994 and helped lobby for landmark national laws such as the Anti-Rape Law (RA 8353), Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (RA 7877), Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208), Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act (RA 10354), and the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710). Celia also held key leadership roles in national feminist networks like PILIPINA, the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific (CATW-AP), and Abanse! Pinay, the first women’s sectoral party list in Congress.

Also celebrated is Atty. Rowena V. Guanzon, former Mayor of Cadiz City and later Commissioner of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). A well-respected legal educator and author, she has written extensively on laws protecting women and children, including publications on the Anti-VAWC Law and Barangay Protection Orders. Her national influence in gender mainstreaming within constitutional bodies, and her advocacy for persons with disabilities through the P3PWD Party List, are part of her enduring legacy.

Jenie Macalipsay, a registered social worker from La Carlota City, was honored for her work with the PSWDO and the Negros Occidental Development Center for Women and Children. As PCW Secretariat from 2009 to 2014, she supported survivors of abuse with psychosocial and legal assistance, coordinated trainings on laws like the Anti-Child Abuse Law (RA 7610) and the Anti-Trafficking Law, and served as focal person for key reintegration programs such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA).

Wenonah Martyr, a long-serving community leader and two-time Chair of the PCW, is a respected figure in women’s organizing in Sagay City and the province. Despite physical injury from a vehicular accident, she continued her advocacy work, mentoring women’s groups and advising local governments on organizing and troubleshooting women’s councils. She is a former president of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) of Sagay and was recognized in 2019 by former Vice President Leni Robredo as an “Istorya ng Pag-asa” honoree.

Atty. Annabelle Corral-Respall, an alumna of the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos (UNO-R), began her career at DAWN Foundation and later joined the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Zamboanga Extension Office, where she became a certified Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) facilitator accredited by the Civil Service Institute (CSI). She continues to conduct trainings on GAD, Anti-VAWC, and Anti-Sexual Harassment for government and civil society groups, while also teaching law at UNO-R and the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Dr. Elvie Samson, GAD Director of Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU), was recognized for developing and institutionalizing CHMSU’s comprehensive gender mainstreaming program. Under her leadership, CHMSU became the first university in the region to adopt a university-wide Gender and Development (GAD) Code, integrate gender topics into curricula, and implement inclusive facilities like “All Gender” restrooms. She also established partnerships with health agencies for free HIV-AIDS testing, and led community GAD orientation sessions for upland farmers and youth organizations.

Atty. Andrea Lizares-Si, current Chair of the PCW and president of DAWN Foundation and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines – Negros Occidental Council (now current VP), has worked on VAW advocacy since the 1990s. She led capability-building programs for barangay VAW desk officers and helped institutionalize the “GeRL (Gender Responsive LGU) Ka Ba?” tool for assessing LGU compliance with gender responsiveness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she initiated the “Liso Kabuhi Ko” community gardening project in partnership with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Women and Family. She is also a published feminist theologian with the Ecclesia of Women in Asia (EWA).

Among the institutional awardees, Development Through Active Women Networking Foundation, Inc. (DAWN) was recognized for its foundational role in organizing the PCW and championing gender awareness, VAW response, adolescent reproductive health, and women’s political participation. Established in 1991 under the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), DAWN has remained a critical institution for GAD advocacy in Negros.

The Negros Occidental Federation of Women’s Clubs (NOFWC), a provincial chapter of the National Federation of Women’s Clubs of the Philippines, was honored for its grassroots work in civic action, maternal health, community-based programs, and the promotion of Women’s Month. The organization has long supported leadership development among women, with its members recognized as key movers in the province’s gender movement.

Also awarded was Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. (NWTF), a leading microfinance and social enterprise institution that has empowered over 400,000 women across the country. NWTF offers loans, skills training, insurance, healthcare, and scholarships to support the well-being and economic resilience of women and their families. The organization’s signature “Dungganon” program has produced award-winning entrepreneurs and community leaders.

The Provincial Council for Women (PCW) itself was celebrated for its 30 years of groundbreaking work since its creation in 1994 through Provincial Ordinance No. 54. The PCW has played a central role in legislative advocacy, women’s month celebrations, VAW campaigns, gender mainstreaming, and paralegal training across Negros Occidental. Through initiatives like the Search for Best Barangay VAW Desks and Desk Officers and “Liso Kabuhi Ko,” it has built lasting partnerships with the Office of the Governor, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and the PSWDO.

The Negros Occidental Girl Scouts Council has been instrumental in empowering young girls and women since its establishment in 1951. Through programs like the Free Being Me initiative, the council promotes body positivity and self-esteem among girls, helping them develop leadership qualities. The council also conducts advocacy campaigns such as Stop the Violence Against Women and Girls (STV) and provides training that prepares girls to become active citizens and leaders in their communities.

The Rural Improvement Club (RIC) of Negros Occidental, founded in 1991, continues to empower rural women by providing educational opportunities, agricultural training, and support for small business ventures. With 95% of its members being women, the RIC plays a key role in local development and food security. Members are involved in various provincial programs and have received recognition for their contributions to rural economic development and women’s entrepreneurship.

Each of these awardees embodies the spirit of resilience and leadership, making significant strides toward achieving gender equality and empowering women across Negros Occidental. Their work continues to inspire and uplift communities, paving the way for future generations of women to thrive.

The WEGE Awards not only serve as a celebration of the achievements of outstanding individuals and organizations but also as a reminder of the ongoing need for collective action in the fight for gender equality. The awardees, through their work, have inspired countless others to continue the pursuit of gender justice, inclusion, and empowerment.

As we look back on the past three decades, it is clear that Negros Occidental stands as a beacon of progress for gender equality in the Philippines. The work of these trailblazing individuals and organizations sets a precedent for future generations of women to rise, lead, and shape their own futures. The fight for gender equality continues, and these awardees exemplify the power of leadership, advocacy, and commitment to making the world a better place for all women.