COTABATO CITY – The series of orientation, training and workshop activities for the newly appointed officials and employees of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy – BARMM has commenced on December 17, 2020 at the Nur Salam Hall, Alnor Convention Center, Cotabato City.

“This is only the start of our training, seminars, and orientation programs. With these, we aim to improve our workplace and the delivery of our basic services,” MENRE Assistant Regional Secretary Alindatu K. Pagayao said in his inspirational message.

Christine Bernadette Almoite, Executive Assistant at the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, and Helen M. Rojas, Chief of Staff and Supervising Political Affairs Officer III of MP Hadja Bainon G. Karon, led the Orientation on Anti-Sexual Harassment that was held on December 17-18, 2020.

Rojas emphasized that there should be awareness of the existence of Anti-Sexual Harassment laws and policies among us, and that we should be informed of the contents of these laws—citing in particular the Republic Act 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1997), and the Republic Act 11313 (Safe Spaces Act).

“There should be recognition and protection of women’s rights as employees and as individuals,” Dr. Al-Sharif M. Tamburani, Director of Administrative and Support Services, said. He stressed that we must not forget that all genders are “also prone, susceptible, and vulnerable to different kinds of abuses and violence.”

The Orientation on Anti-Sexual Harassment was conducted before the year ends, as Chief Administrative Officer Mohammad Ali R. Dimaren commended the teamwork and efficiency of the organizers from the Ministry.

As the MENRE continues its recruitment process to fill the remaining plantilla positions, upcoming training and seminar-workshops will be laid out and designed for the continuous development of the Ministry’s operations.