Women Representation in the Province of La Union
By: Loren Obillo, OPPDC | Photos By: OPPDC | Date: March 30, 2023
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In observance of the Womenβs Month Celebration this March, it is noteworthy to look into the Women Representation in the Province of La Union.
As per 2015 data, 49.52% or 389,552 women make up the total populace in La Union. Women also account for the bulk of the labor force with 65% share or a total of 381,340 women employed in the province.
In the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU), 850 women are employed, which consist of 46.42% of the total employed in the Province. There are 274 first level and 304 second level women employees or 15.31% and 16.98% of the total rank-and-file employees in PGLU. 122 Casual and 150 Job Order women employees comprised 6.82% and 8.38% of the workforce, respectively.
With respect to Women Advocacy in PGLU, all its 31 offices have their respective Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Persons. Meanwhile, when it comes to funding GAD PPAs, which include priority programs for the welfare and development of all women provincewide, the Province has a total GAD Budget of P241,203,780.00, which accounts 11.52% of its total budget. In 2022, PGLU served a total of 38,588 women in the implementation of its various GAD PPAs.
In terms of women leadership, La Union has Governor Raphaelle Veronica βRafyβ Ortega-David as the first woman and youngest Governor. We also have eight women Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) Board Members or 61.50% of the total SP Board Members, eight women mayors or 40% of the total mayors in the province, and 101 women barangay captains, which comprised 17.53% of the total barangay captains provincewide. In addition, PGLU also has 10 women Department Heads or 32.26% of the total DHs.
On the other hand, women also play a vital role in local development, thus, their participation in local governance is necessary. To date, the SP has accredited 93 women-headed Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) or 29.80% of the total SP-accredited CSOs. The Province recognizes that it is equally important to develop and strengthen partnerships with the CSOs in empowering citizens to articulate their needs as they participate in the decision-making process, program planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation at the local level, which can increase the responsiveness and efficiency of local governments in delivering public service. The Provincial Development Council, whose primary task is to assist the organization, set the direction of economic and social development, and coordinate development efforts of the Province, has a total of 17 women members or equivalent to 41.47% of the total members of the Council.
Women representation in the province is indeed significantly progressing!
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