The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) joined the nation in celebrating Women’s Month in March 2015. This year’s celebration, which had the theme, “Juana, Desisyon Mo Ay Mahalaga Sa Kinabukasan Ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na!” aimed to recognize and highlight women’s key roles and accomplishments in leadership, empowerment, and decision-making. 
DOST-PCAARRD’s Gender and Development (GAD) committee kicked off the celebration with the Appreciation Seminar Series on March 2.
Mildred Mercene-Buazon, vice chairperson of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) GAD Focal Point System, presented the status of BFAR’s GAD mainstreaming efforts and highlighted some of BFAR GAD Focal Point System’s major accomplishments as well as programs, among which is the AHON initiative.
Under the said initiative, BFAR provided fishing boats for men and chest freezers for women fisherfolk and implemented the women-managed areas (WMA) cum women-friendly fishing gears for regions 5 and 11. It also assisted women groups to formally incorporate as organizations to be able to avail of entrepreneurship activities and credit facilities and assisted fisherfolk in securing PhilHealth insurance and personal or crop insurance to aid them in case of calamity.
On March 6, the DOST-PCAARRD GAD Committee joined the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) during its Kick-Off Program for the Women’s Month celebration, which included an advocacy walk around the forestry campus, an opening program, and a Tianggehan sa ERDB.
In an appreciation seminar series organized by PCAARRD on March 9, Dr. Maria Helen Dayo, director of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Gender Center, lectured on gender mainstreaming which focused on establishing a gender fair society and related policy imperatives.
During the women’s month celebration at DOST main office on March 16, which was also joined by PCAARRD GAD committee, Ms. Thelma Paris, a socioeconomist and gender specialist, talked about mainstreaming gender concerns in agriculture during the Appreciation Seminar Series. The lecture highlights the importance of addressing gender concerns in research and development.
Health and wellness took center stage on March 20, when the PCAARRD GAD committee launched a medical mission and a heath and wellness forum. Employees of the council as well as neighboring offices such as DOST Region 4A, Bureau of Plant Industry, and the Municipal Office of Los Baños availed of the free cervical cancer screening. DOST-PCAARRD employees were also provided free fasting blood sugar, test for cholesterol, urinalysis, and foot doppler screening. In the afternoon, doctors from the Makiling Medical Society gave a series of talks on health concerns.
Dr. Zenaida Torres, an internist, talked on health, hygiene, and sanitation; Dr. Amado Gurango, a pulmonologist, provided information and health tips about lung health; Dr. Jose Rafael Resubal, an orthopedic surgeon, discussed bone health and the common bone-related ailments; while Dr. Claire Habito, dermatologist, talked about summer skin wellness.
A representative of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) also talked about Pinggang Pinoy and the 10 nutritional guidelines.
DOST-PCAARRD’s Women’s Month celebration concluded with a free pampering session, trade fair, and a Testimonials on Women Economic Empowerment through Science and Technology (TWEEST) on March 30, 2015.
DOST-supported enterprises displayed and sold their products in the trade fair. These enterprises include the Rosario Dairy Raisers Association (RODRA), Magdalena Dairy Raisers Association (MADRA), Oryspa, Choco-Vron, Escaba Food Products, LGU-PCAARRD Organic Vegetable produce, Itlog ni Kuya, Ehjes Peanut Butter, Zennies, and Lety’s Buko Pie.
Free pampering services were given to DOST-PCAARRD employees, including a back and arm massage, manicure and pedicure, and haircut.
In the afternoon, during the TWEEST forum, DOST-supported enterprises inspired attendees on various possible business ventures as they provided tips and shared their experiences. The speakers were Suzy Dausig, secretary of Escaba Food Products, Felimon San Juan, Jr., owner and proprietor of Feliza Woodworks/ARGYLE; Benigna Marasigan, farmer cooperator of RODRA; Zarah Jane Juan, owner and proprietor of Green Leaf Eco Bags, and Sherill Quintana, president and founder of Oryspa Solutions, Inc.
Other attendees during the TWEEST forum were from the Asean Center for Biodiversity, International Rice Research Institute, Laguna Water District, ERDB, Los Baños Doctors Hospital, UPLB Foundation Inc., Landbank of the Philippines, Southeast Asian Regional center for Agriculture, the local government unit of Los Baños, Rural Empowerment Club, Boy Scouts of the Philippines Makiling, and the Philippine High School for the Arts.