Marking the culmination of the 2026 National Women’s Month Celebration, District II Councilor Hon. Maria Luisa “Angelu” De Leon-Rivera of the City Government of Pasig delivered her message during the DILG-NCR Flag Raising Ceremony on March 30, 2026, at the DILG-NCR Regional Office, North Avenue, Quezon City.

To commence the program, DILG-NCR Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn R. Baltazar-Cortez, CESO IV, highlighted the vital role of women in driving change, building communities, and leading institutions as pillars of wisdom, courage, and power.

In her message, Councilor Angelu De Leon-Rivera shared her journey as a woman, public servant, and leader, recognizing the challenges and expectations women face. Drawing inspiration from history and faith, she likened Babaylans to influential women in the Bible who shaped their communities, emphasizing that “being a woman is not a limitation, but a qualification.”

She reminded DILG-NCR personnel that the end of March does not mark the end of advocating for women’s rights, encouraging them to continue championing gender equality and women’s empowerment in service of all Filipinos and future generations.

Concluding the activity, DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, called on all Regional and Field Office personnel to carry forward the spirit of Women’s Month, urging them to celebrate shared victories, stand together through challenges, and continue advancing gender-responsive and inclusive governance.

Anchored on the 2026 National Women’s Month theme “WE for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society” and subtheme “Lead like the Babaylans, Filipinas!,” DILG-NCR conducted a series of learning sessions for internal personnel under the Women LEAD: Advancing Human Resource Development by Fostering Inclusive, Resilient, Safe, and Transformative Spaces (HRD FIRSTS) Program, a capacity-building platform designed to enhance gender sensitivity, reinforce inclusive practices, and mainstream GAD principles in local governance.