QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – Living up to the theme: WE Make CHANGE Work for Women, local government units in Metro Manila lined up various activities geared towards making change work for women as a means to collectively celebrate this year’s National Women’s Month.

The city government of Malabon is set to conduct free cervical and breast cancer screening on March 11 in cooperation with the Philippine Cancer Society. The first 100 patients can avail the medical services at the Malabon Sports Complex through the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC).

Every Friday of March, from 8 AM to 12 PM, Caloocan City North Medical Center (CCNMC) offers free mammogram services to its women residents of Caloocan, aged 45 and above. This initiative of the City Government is intended to promote the prevention and early detection of potential illnesses, particularly breast cancer among women.

On the other hand, the local government of Valenzuela conducted a seminar on Gender and Development alongside its related laws among the students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV) and representatives from the departments of the city administration. The event was spearheaded by Councilor Niña Lopez as the Chairperson of the City Council Committee on Women, Family, and Gender Equality.

Meanwhile, the Pasay City, some 100 motorcycle riders joined the City Government’s ‘Juana Funride’ as kick-off activity of the National Women’s Month. The motorcade started at the Pasay City Hall and ended at the World Trade Center.

In Parañaque, City Hall women employees enjoyed basic massage, haircut, and pap smear given by the LGU under the ‘Juana Be Pampered’ project. Mayor Eric Olivares also distributed hygiene kits to beneficiaries as a way of thanking the women stakeholders for their dedication in helping the city attain its progressive goals.

Moreover, the city government of Mandaluyong fostered a partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) to further push for gender inclusivity in terms of health care by means of implementing the ‘DOH, Mandaluyong On The Ground’ program.

Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos and DOH Officer-in-Charge Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire conducted a health service visit to the female persons deprived of liberty (PDL) that are situated in the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in order to provide for their medical care needs. Among the services made available by the program are HIV testing, genital/breast examination, dental care and extraction, as well as the COVID-19 vaccination.

The Pasig City government, on the other hand, has inclined to strengthen the economic resiliency of women through the ‘Tiangge ni Muyta ng Pasig’ bazaar which is aimed at showcasing the business products of various women’s organizations in the city. The said bazaar features more than 35 stalls that can be visited at the Pasig City Hall Quadrangle from 8 AM to 5 PM until March 11.

In Quezon City Government through Mayor Joy Belmonte of the Quezon launched the ‘Made in QC Local Artisans Fair’ in Ayala Malls Trinoma on March 8 (Tuesday) featuring locally-made products of women entrepreneurs in the city. The fair will to run until March 12.

Aside from this initiative, the Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department, aiming to recognize the pivotal role of women in the materialization of the local climate action will give gifts to the first 10 women to trade at least 1 kilogram of recyclables to the Trash to Cash Back Drop-off and Exchange Booth in the city starting March 13. (PIA-NCR)