She was not a mere participant during the said “three day multi Association -party discussion and workshop because she provided an in depth yet experiential narration of how it is to be a WOMAN in POLITICS. Mayor Tangson provided practical and real challenges, victories and accomplishments of a woman who holds the position of local chief executive. We could expect that she shared rare, rich and fruitful ideas rooted to her personal experiences. It was an educating “tete-a-tete” between her and the audiences from other countries.

Her presentation was based on two decades of being a “multi awarded and recognized achiever” as a public servant. She is the current National President of Philippine Sisterhood  and Twinning Association (PHISTA) since 2007 and the National President of the Lady Municipal Mayors of the Philippines (LMMAP) for about 273 Lady Mayors all over the Philippines. Internationally, she is the Secretary General of the Association of the Pacific Island Local Government (APILG) since 2008.

The workshop sponsor, Kemitraanhas a vision of a fair, democratic and prosperous Indonesia built on sustainable good governance principles and practices. Its mission is to promote and institutionalize these good governance principles in Indonesian society by implementing harmonized reform programs. This will strengthen public service governance, deepen democracy, improve security and justice and improve economic and environmental governance. Consideration of gender equality and the needs of marginalized groups are integral to this mission. The center conducted two events, the multi-party panel discussion held on 26 October, 2011 at Jakarta and a two-day workshop of promotion of women’s political representation on 27-28 October 2011, at Bandung, respectively, both in Indonesia.

Its main thrust is focused on the promotion of political rights of women and democracy. This will be  done through increased women’s political representation using the strength of regional partnership initiatives, Kemitraan has formed partnerships with the National Democratic Institute(NDI) as well as the Indonesian Women’s Coalition (KPI), Persatuan Kasedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER) from Malaysia, the Women’s Caucus from Timor-Leste, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), and the Center for Popular Empowerment from the Philippines.. These partnerships from different organizations enable Kemitraan to accomplish the overall objectives of this program initiative. It is also aimed at ensuring equitable women’s political representation and or internal party quota in Southeast Asia.

The multi party discussion is part of the project under the IKAT US Component 1. Presetners during the discussion highlighted affirmative actions for women in their respective countries and/or party where they belonged.. Indonesia reported that it has already implemented this kind of affirmative action within the PPP/Partai Persatuan Pembangunan (United Development Party) and PKB/Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (National Awakening Party). Both have already included affirmative action for women in their party by-laws stating thaat 30 percent of their leadership should be women. The other discussants came from PKR Malaysia and Akbayan Party from Philippines who have included affirmative action in their manifesto or their mechanism. This activity also had the presence of women’s political caucuses, NGO’s from five (5) countries, and party leaders from Indonesian.

The expected outputs obtained from this panel discussion are;

• Sharing experience, challenges and lessons learned on the party mechanism for implementing affirmative action to increasing women’s political representation;
• Develop links or network with political leaders and activists on the issue of women’s political representation in five (5) counties.

The participant in the multi-party panel discussion were:

1. Leaders of parties or members of parliaments from Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines and Timor Leste.
2. Leaders and members of political/parliamentarian women’s caucuses and women’s NGOs from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Timor Leste.
3. Regional partners from Cambodia (CCHR), Indonesia (Koalisi Perempuan Indonesia), Malaysia (EMPOWER), Philippines (CPE), Timor Leste (Women’s Political Caucus)
4. Local partners from Indonesian Women’s Program of Kemitraan
5. National Democratic Institute (NDI)
6. Kemitraan

The “one-day multi-party discussion,” during the two-day workshop for political women’s caucus and women’s NGOs being conducted by Kemitraan was attended by five (5) countries namely, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Timor Leste. There were also twenty five (25) participants from other countries invited. They are the leaders and members of women’s caucuses and women NGOs.

This intent of the discussion was to promote and enact initiatives and action to enlarge women participation and uphold their rights. In addition, the purpose of the workshop was to support the network of the women’s caucuses and women’s NGOs participating in the workshop. This will enhance their capacities as women in politics holding decision making positions. Part of the strategy is to provide a space for women’s caucus members to share their experiences and good practices. Eventually, participants learned from other countries’ experiences on how political parties’ and structures have accommodated affirmative action for women in their platform. Other outputs from these two-day workshops were;

• Developed links or networks among women’s caucuses and NGOs from five (5) countries
• Capacity development for the women’s caucuses members/leaders attended in the workshop through sharing experiences sessions and skill building sessions
• More efficient and stronger women’s caucuses and women’s NGO’s.
• Support to women’s caucuses to have more cooperation with CSOs, and other organizations.
• Draft action plan from the groups of participants by country and draft action plan  from all the participants  for regional levels.

As others have learned from Mayor Tangson, we in San Luis should also learn from her leadership. The programs that are being implemented in our municipality are borne out of the desire to serve. We are looking forward to new innovations that our very own Mayor brings back from her participation in conferences abroad. It is most certain that what is brough back will benefit the people of San Luis.

Awarded by Secretary Jesse M. Robredo of DILG, the “SEAL” was received by Hon. Mayor Annabelle C. Tangson together with the other awardees from LGUs of Aurora Province at Oxford Hotel, Clarkfield, Angeles City on October 19, 2011.

Ito at naisakatuparan sa pangunguna ni Kgg. Annabelle C. Tangson at sa pagsuporta at pagsasanay ng mga miyembro ng kapulisan sa pamumuno ni PCI Reynante D. Pitpitan, Chief of Police, San Luis Police Station at ng Philippine Army sa pamumuno ni LTC Kurt A. Decapia, Battalion Commander, 48IB, 71D.

Tinalakay sa naturang seminar-workshop ang kahalagahan at tungkulin ng mga tanod na siyang pangunahing takbuhan ng mga mamamayang nangangailangn ng tulong. Kasama sa tinalakay ang mga mahahalagang batas na may kinalaman sa proteksyon ng kababaihan at kabataan tulad ng RA 7262 o Anti-Violence Against Woman and Children at RA 9344 o Child in Complicit with the Law. Ipinakita rin dito ang mabilis at wastong pagresponde sa iba’t ibang sitwasyon lalo na sa ‘rescue and relief operation’ na nakapaloob sa paksang “Basic Police Responder”.

Sa huli, ipinagkaloob ni Kgg. Annabelle C. Tangson ang insentibo sa mga Barangay Tanod. Ayon sa mga Barangay Tanod, ang naturang seminar-workshop ay malaking tulong sa kanila sa pagtupad ng kanilang mga tungkulin.

Click here or the image to view the pictures of this year’s Street Decors. The Street Decor Competition, a part of the Sabutan Festival,  is a yearly event showcasing the creativity of the people of San Luis. The decors will be on display until August 25.

Bilang pagtugon sa panawagan ng Kagawaran ng Turismo, ang Bayan ng San Luis, sa pamumuno ni Kgg. Annabelle C. Tangson at sa pamamagitan ng Tanggapan ng Pambayang Turismo na kinabibilangan nina Bb. Marissa V. Quiambao (Tourism Coordinator), Bb. Rosalia Mauro (Staff) at G. Joel Uy (Staff), ay nakiisa at nagtalaga ng “Tourist Assistance Desk” noong ika – 20 – 23 ng Abril, 2011. Ito ay isinakatuparan sa pakikipagtulungan ng Philippine National Police sa pangunguna ni PCI Reynante Pitpitan, Chief of Police, San Luis, Aurora; 48IB Charlie (COUGAR) Company ng Philippine Army; Bureau of Fire Protection, San Luis, Aurora at sa pagsuporta at pag-alalay ng magigiting na miyembro ng KABALIKAT CIVICOM, 200 Chapter, San Luis, Aurora na naglunsad din ng mga programang Motorist Assistance Desk(PNP, PA), Oplan Sumvac(BFP) at Lakbay-Alalay(Kabalikat). Ang naturang mga programa ay naglalayong maalalayan ang mga turista, motorista at publiko sa kanilang paglalakbay habang nasa bakasyon o nakiki-isa sa paggunita ng mga mahal na araw.