Women against climate change

Women play a major role in the protection and preservation of the environment, disaster risk reduction, weathering climate change, and building gender-responsive resilient communities that are responsible, accountable, and prepared for any disaster.

This was the message of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman during the National Women's Day celebration held at Sitio Sapinit, Barangay San Juan, Antipolo, which was attended by Rizal Vice Governor Frisco San Juan; Atty. Menchi Leyble, wife of Antipolo City Mayor Nilo Leyble; Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women Remedios I. Rikken; PCW Executive Director Emmeline L. Verzosa; and representatives from various national government agencies.

This year's theme, "Women Weathering Climate Change: Governance, Accountability, Everyone's Responsibility," highlights disaster risk reduction as everyone's responsibility and underscores the role of women as powerful agents of change in relation to disaster risk reduction.

Likewise, Secretary Soliman lauded the Sapinit Watershed Settlers Association led by its president Grace Tepesa. Founded in 2003, the organization is composed of women residents of Sitio Sapinit who established a nursery filled with narra and mahogany seedlings, in coordination with the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation. The women members tilled the land, prepared the watershed, and planted the seedlings. They are organized and systematic, and considered as a powerful force in their community.

"Your organization is a model of how women in communities can have sustainable livelihood while nurturing the environment," Secretary Soliman stated.

The celebration kicked off with a seedling preparation—transferring of seedlings to individual black plastic bags—as part of the National Greening Program.

Secretary Soliman, PCW officials, local government unit officials, representatives of the various government agencies, and private sector organizations participated in the potting session held at Sitio Sapinit and Barangay Calawis, Antipolo. - Official Gazette — ARA