CSR Advocacy Caravan – GAD (Gender & Development) Caravan

March 31, 2017 - In celebration of the month of March as National Women's Month, the tollroad industry led by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) held its 4th Advocacy Caravan for “Gender Equality and Women Empowerment”.

This year's GAD caravan was hosted by PIDC-TPLEX. It started from the PIDC Toll Operations Center in Tarlac City and travelling up to TPLEX Anao exit plaza. There were more than 24 vehicles from TRB and various tollroad operators and concessionaires that enthusiastically joined the advocacy caravan.

Part of the caravan route was the visit to the shrine of the Holy Face of Jesus in Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija for a dedication ceremony. The parish priest of the shrine truly appreciated the recent high influx of visitors and pilgrims to the church due to the ease of access provided by the TPLEX.

The caravan culminated at the Hamilton's Restobar in Caramutan, La Paz, Tarlac where an advocacy program was conducted and lunch was served. The program included inspirational speeches from two (2) women achievers in their respective fields, namely: Ms. Myrna Reinoso, Chief Financial Officer of PIDC and Hon. Susan A. Yap, incumbent Governor of Tarlac province. The TRB message was delivered by Executive Director Abraham P. Sales while the closing remarks was given by Mr. Rogelio M. Murga, Chairman of PIDC. Also gracing the occasion was Ms. Josephine t. Turbolencia, the GAD Focal Point Chair of TRB. The highlight of the celebration was the signing of the Pledge of Commitment on women empowerment by the respective representatives from all the tollway concessionaires and operators.

The SOMCO delegation consisted mostly of women-employees from TCD, TSMSD, MESD, CTSD, TOAD, HRAD, SaARU and Management Services. SOMCO continues to subscribe and reaffirms its support to women empowerment principles which offer guidance on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and the community. As well as seek to point the way to best practices by elaborating the gender dimension of corporate responsibility and business' role in sustainable development.