FOR this year’s Mother’s Day celebrations, OpinYon Media Advocacies, Inc. has decided to honor three women currently in public service, who have proved to be not only exemplary mothers to their children but also as “Ina ng Mamamayan” to their constituents.
While this year’s celebration of Mother’s Day has been overshadowed by the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, OpinYon sees this day as a perfect opportunity to cite these women in Laguna province who through their exemplary public service, have become an “Ilaw ng Bayan” for their respective positions.
Ann Matibag
Board Member, 1st District of Laguna
Bokal Ann Matibag (San Pedro) photo from Ann Matibag, Facebook
From the very outset, Board Member Ann Matibag has championed the cause of womenfolk in the First District with her “Three K’s” program: Kababaihan, Kabataan at Kalusugan.
In her term as board member, Ann Matibag has worked on projects that will advance the livelihood of women in Laguna’s First District.
Her own experience as a mother to her two children have inspired her to champion the cause of women’s health through programs that will ensure that mothers in Laguna will be taken care of, both physically and economically.
Matibag founded the “Breastfeeding Lagunanays” group, which aims to promote a sustainable culture of childcare among Laguna’s mothers.
Her latest project, "The Promise" Sampaguita Jewelry Line program, aims not only to revive the glory of San Pedro City’s most famous heritage – the sampaguita flower – but also provide a means of living to mothers who have suffered through the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Marlyn “Len-len” Alonte-Naguiat
Representative, Lone District of Binan
Congresswoman Len-Len Alonte-Naguiat (Biñan) photo from Len Alonte Naguiat, Facebook
As mayor of Binan City from 2007 to 2013, “Len-len” Alonte-Naguiat shepherded her constituency from being a sleepy market town into one of the powerhouses of industry and commerce in the province of Laguna.
Her crowning achievement was the conversion of Binan to a component city in 2010.
Later, after being elected as the city’s sole representative in Congress, she pushed for amendments to the Solo Parent Act of 2002, which would grant single mothers additional benefits and privileges.
The bill, which passed Congress in its third and final reading last January, is expected to benefit at least 15 million solo parents, 95 percent of which are women.
Arlene Arcillas
Mayor, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna
Mayor Arlene Arcillas (Sta. Rosa) phot from Arlene Arcillas, Facebook
As “Ina ng Bayan” of Sta. Rosa from 2007 to 2016 and from 2019 to present, Mayor Arlene Arcillas saw the rise of the city as a premiere industrial, commercial and residential hub in the province of Laguna.
Today, Sta. Rosa City has become a “powerhouse” in terms of economic development in Laguna’s first district, allowing Arcillas to pursue programs that will empower the city’s mothers and their children.
Her landmark project for women and children in Sta. Rosa City is the Women and Children’s Crisis Center in Barangay Sinalhan, which caters women and children in crisis situation, mostly victims of violence, abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.
The two-story, 24/7 facility has adequate facilities for taking care of abused women and children, as well as other activities such as livelihood, training, and sports. (JV/With Kimberly Tilar)