A certificate of recognition was given by the Philippine Commission on Women (PWC) to the provincial government’s Lualhati Women’s Center (LWC) as a model Gender and Development (GAD) Learning Hub that has admirable programs toward women development.
The certificate was awarded to the facility on March 8 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila as part of the celebration of the 2019 National Women’s Month, which has the theme “We Make Change Work for Women”.
It was received by Ninfa Rubio, Provincial Planning and Development Officer (PPDO), and Gender and Development Focal Person; Riza Flores, Economist III; Ruby Claire Escubin, focal person of the LWC, and Abigail Ablana, chief of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO).

The provincial government’s LWC made it among the seven initiatives in the country that were recognized by the PWC for having GAD programs toward women development and empowerment.
The others are Pangasinan for the “Pangasinan Crisis Intervention Center”; Misamis Occidental for its “Provincial Gender and Development Office”; Lungsod ng Mabalacat in Pampanga for its “Early Childhood Care and Development”; Lungsod ng Baybay in Leyte for the “Women Economic Empowerment and Barangay Management Information System”; Lungsod ng Quezon for its “Social Hygiene Clinic and Quezon City Protection Center”, and Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro for the “Likha Iraya”, which is a community-based handicraft enterprise.
The women center is a facility by the provincial government that is being managed by the PSWDO to serve as a protection center for young women who are victims of violence and abuse.
Its purpose is to promote the protection and rehabilitation of women who are victims of abuse and violence through counseling and productive activities. Part of its program is to provide medical and psychological services, residential care services, legal services, spiritual and values formation, skills training, and educational services.
The certificate of recognition will serve as proof that the LWC under the provincial government will continue to provide social services for Palaweños who are victims of violence and abuse.