COTABATO CITY – The Regional Ports Management Authority in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RPMA-ARMM) has installed gender-sensitive facilities and amenities in the seaport town of Jolo in Sulu province.
Among the amenities in the modern passenger terminal building were women’s desk, public assistance and information booth, public address system, and a computer and communication station. And a breastfeeding area, interfaith prayer room, first-aid facility, and priority lanes. These facilities were officially turned-over to the terminal building management on July 28 at the Port of Jolo.
Those who attended the ceremony were Assistant Secretary for Sulu Convergence Irene P. Tillah of the Department of Social Welfare and Development; persons with disabilities representative Suharto S. Hayudini; Maritime Police representative SPO3 Abdullah Sasapan; and representatives from different shipping lines and stakeholders.
Tillah said the project “is a manifestation of the vision and mission of the government in providing competitive ports and ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and efficient port services to its users and clienteles.” Furthermore, she said the gender and development facilities and amenities in the port of Jolo “are the first, if not the only (such facilities installed) in a Mindanao port.”
Prior to the ceremony, the agency conducted an in-house orientation on gender and development issues for its officials and staff. The orientation aims at further enhancing their understanding of such concept. (Bureau of Public Information)
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