THANK YOU YOUR HONOR.

MAY I PRESENT TO YOU

COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 9THCC-002-2017-COR OF THE
COMMITTEE ON RULES AS A RESULT OF THE COMMITTEE
HEARING CONDUCTED LAST FEBRUARY 9, 2017 AND TWO
PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD ON THE FOLLOWING DATES
February 16, 2017 AND March 24, 2017. THERE IS ONLY
ONE (1) ITEM INCLUDED IN THE SAID REPORT YOUR HONOR
AND WITH CORRESPONDING
RECOMMENDATION/REMARKS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR
CONSIDERATION OF THE SANGGUNIAN. YOUR HONOR
MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE HAVE
AFFIXED THEIR SIGNATURE. YOUR HONOR, MAY I MOVE
FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE SAID COMMITTEE REPORT.
(WAIT FOR THE ADOPTION)

THE SUBJECT ITEM IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT, IS

THE Proposed Ordinance – Gender and Development Code

YOUR HONOR, this afternoon, I rise to co-sponsor a

measure that aspires to live out the role of Sangguniang
Panlungsod in ensuring gender equality and the empowerment
of women in our beloved City of Santiago. Today, I am pushing
for the passage of Gender and Development Code.

Before I go into details, let me first commend the various

sectors that proactively participated during the deliberations of
this legislative measure: the City Mayor’s Office, my esteemed
colleagues in the Sanggunian, DILG, Popcom, CSWD, DepED,
PNP, Barangay Councils, City Legal Office, CPDO, City Market,
Santiago City Federation of Women’s Clubs, Katipunan ng mga
Kabataang Santiagueño, Federation of Rural Improvement
Clubs and other women’s groups. Special mention to our
Regional Director of POPCOM for scrutinizing the provisions of
this measure.

Your honor, this ordinance provides the necessary

mechanisms to enforce and guarantee the realization of
women’s rights as well as adopt and undertake steps to include
special measures which encompass a wide variety of legislative,
executive, administrative and other regulatory instruments,
policies and practices aimed at accelerating the equal
participation of women in the political, economic, social,
cultural, civil or any other field.

For the longest time that this proposed ordinance has

languished in the legislative mill, one thing is certain: The
debate has long been over. This bill does not grant new or
special rights. It only seeks to uphold the basic rights of women
as our fellow citizens, which has been neglected by many in our
institutions of employment and education, in the delivery of
goods and services, and by the government itself. Most of the
provisions are already embodied in our National laws and
International covenants. Similar local policies and executive
orders are already in place and are currently implemented by
the City Government.

My dear colleagues in the Sanggunian, the proposed

ordinance that we have for consideration is the version
approved by an overwhelming majority of participants that
attended the committee and public hearings. As we are now on
the Second Reading, this is currently the farthest that the bill
has gone in more than 10 years.

Today is an opportune time to renew our commitment to

empower women and achieve gender equality.. Let us show
them that the 9th City Council will be the first body of Santiago
City legislators that said ‘yes’ to the codification of their basic
rights as members of our community.

Hindi ko na po patatagalin pa ang aking pag-sponsor ng

panukalang ito, Mr. Presiding Officer, dahil matagal nang
nag-aantay ang ating mga kapwa mamamayan para sa
pagsasabatas nito.

If there are queries/suggestions/comments from the

honorable members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod with
regards to the conducted committee and public hearings this
humble representation is now ready to answer such questions.

For technical matters your honor, we have here the

presence of the GAD Focal Person. May I move, Your Honor, for
the suspension of rules to grant speaking rights to Ms.
_________________________________, to answer queries regarding
the specific provisions of this proposed ordinance. I, so move,
Mr. Presiding Officer.