Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, Bulacan 4th district Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica, and other women legislators pose for posterity during the groundbreaking ceremony (contributed photo)

Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez recently led the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Women and Children Protection Unit building at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) in Mandaluyong City.

Romualdez,  chairperson of the Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. (AWLFI), envisioned the new facility as a “safe and nurturing facility for women, children and adolescents facing mental health challenges”.

“[This project] marks a significant milestone not only for the AWLFI, but for every individual who believes in the power of comprehensive mental health care and the protection  of the most vulnerable in our society,” she said on Monday, March 19.

Romualdez is the wife of House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

According to AWLFI President and Bulacan 4th district Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica, the funding for the construction of this new building was raised by the 86-strong women legislators’ organization.

The planned two-story building at the NCMH will have four consultation rooms for outpatients, a doctor’s office, and a mini-playing area for children. Villarica called it a landmark project.
 
Apart from the “Kasuotan : Filipiniana Redefined” coffeetable book project that launched during the 17th Congress, the AWLFI had also embarked on fundraisers such as garage sale events featuring pre-loved items of House Members and art exhibits.
 
“Marami pa tayong pagsasaluhang landmark occasions tulad nito (We will have many more landmark occasions like this), where we can see how far we’ve come. Pero madami pa ring pagsusumikapang trabaho (But there’s still a lot of hard work) because dreamers plan, not wish for things to happen,” said Villarica.
 
Also attending the groundbreaking ceremony were Mandaluyong Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos, former Mandaluyong City lone district Rep. Queenie Gonzales, and NCMH officials.
 
The event was part of the women legislators’ activities in celebration of National Women’s Month.