Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar (Mark Balmores/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Men need women in ther lives; because to the latter, nothing is impossible. 

Thus, said senatorial candidate, Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar as she joined the local celebration of Women's Month this March.

In her recent campaign sortie in Luna, Isabela, Villar noted the multiple role of women in the family.  Mothers, for example, face insurmountable tasks in the household.

“Nung nasa distrito ako, ang gustong gusto kong tulungan ay ang mga nanay. Dahil bilang nanay, intinding intindi ko po ang lahat ng roles na (ating) ginagampanan,” said Villar, a mother of two.

(When I was in the district, it was the mothers whom I wanted to help out. Because as a mother myself, I fully understand the roles that they're trying to fulfil.)

“Inaalagaan natin ang mga anak natin. Inaalagaan natin ang mga asawa natin. Tapos pati minsan ang ating mga magulang, ang ating mga kapatid. Ang ating mga pamilya sinisigurado natin maayos ang pagpapatakbo ng ating bahay,” noted the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas bet.

(We take care of our children. We take of our husbands. And at times, we also take care of our parents and siblings. We ensure that our families and household are being run smoothly.)

“Bilib ng bilib po ako sa kakayanan ng isang babae at naniniwala po ako at totoo po… na kailangan ng kalalakihan ang mga kababaihan. Dahil naniniwala po ako na walang hindi magagawa ang isang babae,” said the House deputy speaker. 

(I'm very impressed with the capabilities of a woman and I truly believe this... men need women. Because I believe that to a woman, nothing is impossible.)

Villar batted for equal opportunities for women, as she sought benefits for the sector such as parental leave from work.

Villar also cited the need to provide better access to health services, particularly reproductive and maternal health as well as mental health awareness.

She say she recognizes how challenging it is for women to climb up ladder at the workplace, which if often dominated by men.  

These are the reasons why, Villar said, she also strongly support programs that encourage financial literacy and training to equip women in providing means of livelihood for their families.

During her two-terms as a House member, Villar has been in close coordination with advocacy groups that support women causes, including Buntis Congress that educate mothers on maternal health and child-rearing, and the importance of breastfeeding. 

Villar, who has been juggling her passions as a mother, a wife, a lawmaker, and an entrepreneur, said she will continue pushing for bills that promote women once given the chance to work at the Senate.

Villar said she would push for the approval of a measure seeking to prohibit any health institution, hospital, or maternity lying-in from refusing to admit or give assistance to expecting mothers who are about to give birth. She had filed a similar measure in the House of Representatives.

She also plans to push for the distribution of maternity kits to low-income pregnant Filipino women to improve their prenatal care to reduce child mortality in the country.