Female Council members take charge of the session held on March 10, 2014, in celebration of the International Women’s Month. Led by the Presiding Officer, Vice Mayor Ma. Josefina G. Belmonte, the lady legislators took key leadership positions and delivered privilege speeches highlighting women’s rights and duties in Quezon City and the country, in general.
Councilor Julienne Alyson Rae Medalla of the 5th District was designated as the Majority Floor Leader while Councilor Jessica Castelo Daza of the 4th District acted as the Minority Floor Leader.
During the privilege hour, 6th District Councilor Candy Medina, chairperson of the Committee on Children, delivered a speech concerning cyber child pornography in the country. In light of recent events reported in the news, she noted that despite the enactment of the Quezon City Children’s Code of 2012, the city is not spared from incidents of cyber sexual exploitation. With laws to safeguard children’s rights in place, she appealed to the authorities tasked to implement the law and urged them to take appropriate action.
Thereafter, 1st District Councilor Lena Marie Juico delved on matters affecting women as the chairperson of the Committee on Women, Family Relations and Gender Equality. She zeroed in on measures enacted by the Council to address their concerns as well as the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. These include the Gender and Development Code and ordinances regarding QC Reproductive Health, Anti-Trafficking Act implementation, the establishment of a Protection Center for women, children and LGBT and Anti-Discrimination in Employment on the basis of sexual orientation.
At present, the 19th City Council is composed of 38 members, 11 of which are women, including the Presiding Officer. |