Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte signs Memorandum of Understanding and more
The Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, continues to support its community through service and advocacy. Read below to learn all about the club's actions.
Memorandum of Understanding
The club and the Mariano Macros State University's GAD Focal Point System had a Memorandum of Understanding signing on 31 March. This collaborative partnership will create advocacy programs and campaigns and GAD training to strengthen gender mainstreaming and promote gender equality and unity.
The club is excited to witness what this partnership will have in store in the future.
Self-defense training
The club partnered with the Gender and Development Office of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte and the City PopCom to hold a self-defense training class.
Policewomen from the local police department volunteered to teach the attendees some basic self-defense techniques and tips. They tackled several styles such as karate and taekwondo and even taught the attendees how to wrestle off an attacker.
Pamulinawen festival
On 24 February, the club joined Night, a non-governmental organization (NGO), at Laoag City's multi-purpose complex to celebrate the Pamulinawen Festival.
The festival is celebrated to commemorate the city's patron saint Saint William every first week of February for one whole week. It also serves to promote camaraderie and sportsmanship.
One of the night's highlights was the parade of banners from the different NGOs. The club also performed a creative, synchronized dance number where they took home the first prize for their performance.
Webinar on empowerment and reaffirmation of paternal abilities
The club attended the City Social Welfare and Development Office's webinar on empowerment and reaffirmation of paternal abilities. The webinar featured Rochelle Gaces and Vina Partible as guest speakers.
Many of the participants were stay-at-home fathers.
Free medical, legal and counseling service program
The club continues its free medical, legal and counseling service program. This monthly program is held at the Zonta Building in Laoag City every second Saturday of the month for women and children.
Surgical Mission
In partnership with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, Gov Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital and the Ilocos Norte Medical Society, the club provided medical surgeries to 55 patients through their Surgical Mission project.
The medical surgeries included 25 major and 20 outpatient procedures.