PSA, She Space launch Women’s Month in Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Statistics Authority-Negros Occidental Provincial Statistical Office, in partnership with women’s community organization She Space and with support from Megaworld Corp., officially launched the 2026 National Women’s Month Celebration at The Upper East on March 9, drawing about 100 participants from provincial line agencies, local civil registrars, schools and the public.

The event carried the 2026 National Women’s Month subtheme, “Lead like the Babaylans, Filipinas!,” which the Philippine Commission on Women said draws from the role of babaylans in pre-colonial Philippine society as respected women leaders and forms part of the broader 2023–2028 campaign banner, “WE for Gender Equality and an Inclusive Society.”

The morning program began at 5:30 a.m. with an Equality Walk, followed by a Zumba session, as participants wore purple to signal support for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

During the opening program, Diesah S. Biaoco, supervising statistical specialist of PSA-Negros Occidental, said the agency’s work extends beyond counting people and households.

“We believe that behind every statistic is a story, and behind every number is a woman who deserves to be seen, counted, and heard,” Biaoco stated. “Empowerment means giving women the tools, the confidence, and the right to decide their own futures”.

In a separate message, John F. Campomanes, chief statistical specialist and officer-in-charge regional director of the Regional Statistical Services Office-Negros Island Region, framed the observance as part of a wider institutional commitment to women’s visibility and rights.

“At the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), we don’t just count people; we make sure every woman counts,” Campomanes shared. “We are deeply committed to advocating for a world where every woman is empowered, her voice is heard, and her dreams have no limits”.

After the opening activities, the program shifted to seminars focused on women’s physical, mental and professional well-being.

The sessions included Mental Health Awareness by Rio Marie G. Raipan and Cervical Cancer Awareness by Dr. Lea R. Tipagad-Suelto.

The event also featured personal development talks from local titleholders Jada Biaxyl Celeste, Lin-ay sang Negros 2025, who spoke on “Strength in Softness: The Modern Filipina,” and Julianah Cassandra Makilan, Lin-ay sang Negros 2025 2nd Runner-Up, who discussed “Women Supporting Women: Building Communities, Not Competition”.

Organizers said the program was mounted through coordination among national government agencies and local civil registry offices, with Atty. Nelie France Sanchez representing She Space, which the release described as an organization that creates safe spaces where women can thrive.

Megaworld Bacolod hosted the gathering at The Upper East, where organizers said the partnership gave the Women’s Month kickoff a high-visibility venue in one of the city’s major mixed-use developments.

The March observance comes as government agencies across the country roll out activities tied to National Women’s Month, an annual campaign that highlights women’s rights, leadership and participation in public life. The Philippine Commission on Women’s 2026 guide urges institutions to use the celebration to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment beyond symbolic events.

PSA-Negros Occidental and She Space said they hope the momentum from the Bacolod launch will sustain public support for programs that, in the words of the release, create “soil in which the seeds of greatness can grow” for every Filipina.