Partylist Rep. Hataman lauds North Cotabato women leaders
By Edwin O. Fernandez
COTABATO CITY, April 12 (PNA) – A Moro woman lawmaker from Mindanao lauded the dedicated women leaders of North Cotabato and urged women from various local government units in the island to make their presence felt.
An advocate of women’s rights, Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Party List Representative Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, said she was inspired to see the women leaders of Cotabato perform as leaders and as models of the society.
She was the guest in one of the activities ahead of the centennial celebration on September 1.
“Truly, the province of Cotabato is profoundly endowed with women leaders who share the same vision of a progressive and peaceful province,” Rep. Hataman said referring to North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza and five lady Board Members Maybelle Valdevieso, Ivy Dalumpines-Ballitoc, Airene Claire Pagal, Shirlyn Macasarte and Ex-Officio member Dulia Sultan.
Rep. Hataman said with truly empowered and selfless women leaders in the province of Cotabato, people need not look further to find strong and dedicated heads working with a common vision to attain peace and prosperity.
Rep. Hataman, wife of Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanoa (ARMM), was guest of honor of one of the early activities of the province’s 100th foundation anniversary.
Gov. Hataman accompanied his wife during the visit to North Cotabato over the weekend.
The provincial board members whom Rep. Hataman paid tribute were Valdevieso, chair of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Gender and Development, Dalumpines-Ballitoc handles the Comitte on Ways and Means, Pagal chairs the Committee on Health while Macasarte is the Chair of Finance Committee.
The three of them, along with the rest of the Board Members of Cotabato were oftentimes referred to as “empowered Board Members” as they are very much involve not only in legislations but also with the implementation of programs and projects of the provincial government.
Rep. Hataman also commended the contributions of the ordinary women for their extra-ordinary roles in molding society.
“Let’s give due credit and highlight the great contributions of the mothers who take care of their children, working mothers with all sorts of jobs or professions in their small but meaningful ways of helping change our world for the better,” Rep. Hataman told the thousands women.
She also encouraged everyone to make every day as a women’s day as it is imperative to treat the women with dignity and respect.
Rep. Hataman is also an exceptional women leader devoting her time in advocating the rights of women particularly the Moro.
Before becoming the representative of Amin Party List, Hataman held top positions in numerous civic and political groups in Zamboanga City and Basilan.
She was the former executive director and chief operating officer of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and Co-Convener of Pinay Kilos, Citizens Peace Watch and Mindanao Solidarity Network and many others. (PNA)
