In celebration of this year’s National Women’s Month, DA-BSWM Director Gina P. Nilo graced the Bicol Women’s Day Celebration last March 8, 2024, where she served as the Guest of Honor. This was attended by Rural Women mostly from the Rural Improvement Clubs (RICs), Young Farmers (4Hers) and Agri-Pinay beneficiaries of Bicol Region at Sonrisa Integrated Farm, in Magarao, Camarines Sur.
With this year’s National Women’s Month Celebration theme, “We for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society,” and with the subtheme, “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas; Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan!,” Director Nilo delivered an inspiring Message where she underscored that women are created as suitable partners to their husbands/male counterparts and how they have been proven as outstanding women since then. She further shared her involvements and learnings from being a Chairperson of the Committee on the DA Search for Outstanding Rural Improvement Club (RIC), her experiences during her college until her post graduate and doctoral years, and service as Chief of the Technical Divisions of the BSWM, up until now when she has been appointed as the First Lady Director of the BSWM.
The core of her message emphasized the importance of women in nation-building, in raising children in the family together with their husbands to become new leaders and citizens of the community thus contributing to the overall success of the country. She further highlighted the critical roles of women in food security most especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which makes them more resilient and adaptive to climate change and other changing scenarios.
Director Nilo also stressed that women in the Philippines are always treated with high respect even in the male-dominated field such as agriculture. She also talked about gender equality, women empowerment and social inclusion. Most importantly, she pointed out that women’s desires shall be anchored to the Lord’s will.
In closing, Director Nilo offered a prayer to bless all the women of Bicol, and for the whole nation to prosper and be more blessed.
In addition, she shared about the National Soil Health Program and the various services that can be offered to the RICs, 4HERs, Agripinay and other audiences of the event. As such, the participants can avail of the Trainings on the utilization of STK; provision of nutrient recommendation; ABFS implementation on Rice, Corn, and High Value; CFBW provision to produce their own compost and to be producer of quality organic fertilizers including its registration as part of their livelihood.
Dr. Nilo was also part of the #GAD to Know Segment (Part II) of the program where she shared the BSWM Programs and Projects along with Agriculture Credit and Policy Council (ACPC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and DA Regional Field Office 5.
Aside from this, Dr. Nilo took the opportunity in the afternoon to visit the old Regional Soils Laboratory (RSL) and the Integrated Laboratory Building in RFO 5. She was then welcomed and assisted by Ms. Elizabeth Banda and the Integrated Laboratory Division (ILD) Chief Mr. Lorenzo L. Alvina and the rest of ILD Staff.
The BSWM Staff who were also present on the occasion were Ms. Cathlyn Joy Dela Torre; GAD Focal of the BSWM, Ms. Kristine Grace Nilo, and Mr. Arvie Loberiano.
#BagongPilipinas #DA #BSWM #WEcanbeEquALL #2024NWMC #InternationalWomenDay2024 #NationalWomensMonth2024
