SPEAKER Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. (4th District, Quezon City) yesterday lauded the unity and enthusiasm of the members of the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. (CSFI) following the election of its new set of officers and members of its Board of Trustees for the 16th Congress
“We had good camaraderie and cooperation, among members during the 15th Congress which, I’m sure, will bear more fruit in the 16th Congress, and we owe this to a large extent to the fact that our lawmaker-spouses are in very good terms with one another,” Belmonte said.
Quezon City Vice Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte, who was President and Chairperson during the 15th Congress, was the unanimous choice to lead anew the CSFI, with Ms. Paula Camille Bondoc as the executive director.
The 16th Congress CSFI Regional Board of Trustees are as follows: for Region 1, Camille Fariñas; Region 2, Sol Albano; Region 3, Violy Mendoza; Region 4A, Joy Enverga; Region 4B, Linda Umali; Region 5, Delle Escudero; Region 6, Suzette del Rosario; Region 7, June Iway; Region 8, Grace Evardone; Region 9, Hanna Nuno; Region 10, Nenen Rodriguez; Region 12, Rose Acharon; CARAGA, Marie Therese Fortun; ARMM, Mila Balindong; CAR, Cara Cosalan; NCR, Precious Hipolito and Mons Romulo.
“We will continue CSFIs projects like The Haven which Tita Gina (de Venecia) started, the Christmas gift giving, projects with the House’ departments and the calamity assistance,” Joy Belmonte said as she accepted the leadership responsibilities given her.
Ms. Belmonte also cited her projects in the 15th Congress, which were the Lakbay Aral and the Scholarship program for women.
“We offered a 4-year course education, so it’s a must that we continue the scholarship program for women and also the Lakbay Aral Program, we still have so many places to visit,” Belmonte said.
“During this Congress, we will initiate and start some more projects. I’d like to push a Legislative Museum here in Congress. This is a good legacy project for the House,” she added.
“But we still have to meet again next month and listen to the suggestions of the new members who are now starting to be excited about their own ideas,” Ms. Belmonte informed members.
“I think in a sense, I would like it to be more democratic, I would like to get suggestions from all. I would like also to make it more decentralized,” Ms. Belmonte said.
“They can have their own projects in their district, they can implement their own projects. Members are empowered, and give them support, nang hindi lahat dito sa central, para hindi Imperial Manila, palagi,” Ms. Belmonte said.
“I think we should focus more on the marginalized sector, like the persons with disability (PWDs), the women, of course, and the indigenous peoples. We want to focus more and strengthen further helping communities and livelihood initiatives,” Ms. Belmonte said.
For her part, Ms. Paula Camille Bondoc said the first meeting will be on August 7 wherein priority projects will be discussed.
“The priority projects of Ms. Joy and the members’ will be discussed, among others, the proposed Legislative Museum, the on-going Scholarship Program for Women and the national trade fair for the livelihood of every district,” Ms. Bondoc said.
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