Speedy approval of IRRs for gender code pushed

By Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:58:00 03/10/2008


MANILA, Philippines--Following Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte’s statement that every day was Women’s Day in the locality, a councilor has pushed for the approval of the proposed implementing rules and regulations of the Gender and Development (GAD) Code which was signed into law almost four years ago.

Councilor Bernadette Herrera-Dy of the first district reminded the city government that the approval of the IRRs is long overdue.

The GAD Code was the first to be passed by a local government unit in Metro Manila. It was passed on Feb. 17, 2004, and signed into law by Belmonte on April 1, 2004. It basically tasks city officials with enforcing the laws on the protection of women and children.

The mayor, meanwhile, assured residents that the city government would always strive to keep Quezon City the center of gender equality and women empowerment in the country.

“Here in Quezon City, we already have more women than men as middle managers at Quezon City Hall,” he said.

“Here, we are very conscious of the need to uplift the status of women,” Belmonte added.

He cited the recent enactment of the ordinance on population and reproductive health management as among the measures passed by the city government to ensure the empowerment of women residents.

The ordinance gives women the freedom of choice in nurturing their health and fertility to help uplift their quality of living.

Belmonte expressed hope that the ordinance would contribute to poverty reduction by helping parents provide a better future for their children by way of family planning.