by Robbie Pangilinan
In celebration of Women’s Month, the City Governm ent of Tacloban is serious in making the 2017-2022 Women’s Month theme “We Make Change Work for Women” truly work in the city.

Tacloban City Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez makes sure that Taclobanon women are active contributor and claimholders of development in the city. She has pushed state-of-the-art infrastructures for women such as the Women’s Shelter Haus that serves as temporary shelter for violently abused women and children of Tacloban.

Women of Tacloban are also empowered as they are given opportunities to earn an income for themselves and their families through the Cristina Learn and Earn Program (CLEP).

Founded by Romualdez in 2008 when she was a city councilor, CLEP is a comprehensive livelihood entrepreneurial program of the city that offers training courses year round.

“Ten years ago, I looked at mothers here in Tacloban and saw that their free time can be a good opportunity for them to earn a living if trained with skilled courses,” said Mayor Cristina.

CLEP started with simple cosmetology courses such as manicure, pedicure, hair cutting and hair styling, massage and reflexology, cooking for special occasions, baking breads and cakes, food processing of meat and fish, salted egg making, dress making, and table skirting.

“We thank Mayor Cristina for this initiative. Having an income really empowers women,” said

Dhan Masdo Loba, a trainer in baking. The trainees also share their know-how with other women of the city.

The training sessions were held in a classroom on the barangay level. On its tenth year, CLEP will soon be offered at the newly built CLEP Building, the only eco-green solar building in Eastern Visayas built for Tacloban City by the Salvation Army.

“The building will house various training livelihood classes for the women of Tacloban. Every two weeks, we have a new batch of trainees,” announced Mayor Cristina.