Women’s empowerment has surged in popularity in recent years, driven by a growing recognition of the social and economic injustices women face. The movement goes beyond equality and unlocks society’s full potential.
For female politicians, advocating for women’s empowerment is more than just doing the right thing. It’s about harnessing the talents and contributions of half the population. By fighting for equal access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, they’re building a stronger, more inclusive future for all and addressing urgent and necessary rights for women.
In the House of Representatives, Rep. Linabelle Ruth Ramos-Villarica, the four-term Representative of Bulacan’s Fourth District during the 15th to 17th and 19th Congress, is a staunch advocate of women’s empowerment. Her leadership is not just about highlighting what women are capable of and listening to their voices but also about making a significant impact in developing a community that recognizes their potential. One way she does it is by leading through example. For instance, she has championed laws that promote gender equality in the workplace and ensure women’s access to healthcare and education.
She’s also a notable personality in women empowerment groups, including the Association of Women Legislators Foundation Inc. (AWLFI), where Rep. Villarica is President while Rep. Yedda Romualdez is Chairperson. AWLFI is building a Women and Children Protection Unit (WPCU) to cater to women, children and adolescents—both male and female, to provide a more convenient and safe environment for comprehensive mental health services. Located in the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City, they broke ground in March 18, 2024 for the two-storey 240 sqm unit that shall have 4 consultation rooms for Out-Patients, Doctor’s Office and a mini-play area for children. It’s a landmark project for the AWLFI as it’s the first time for them to spearhead the building of an infrastructure as a testimony of support to the Philippine Mental Health Law.
Meanwhile, among Bulacan’s sons and daughters, Rep. Villarica is a beacon of inspiration. She was the first to become Deputy Speaker of the House during the 17th Congress, a testament to her leadership and dedication. Her efforts were recognized among the “Women of the Decade in Public Life and Leadership” in the 25th Edition of the Women’s Economic Forum 2019, a moment of pride for her constituents and women’s rights advocates.
Eventually, Rep. Villarica became Mayor of the City of Meycauayan from 2019 to 2022. Amidst the global health outbreak, she led the city through many breakthrough pandemic response programs. She capped it with the prestigious DILG Seal of Good Local Governance in 2019 and 2022 and the completion of Meycauayan’s new City Hall. She would run unopposed to represent her home district in the 19th Congress. Consequently, for this national electoral feat, she merited the COMELEC’s 2023 Pura Villanueva Kalaw Award for empowered women candidates.
Her commitment to public service is not a recent development but a lifelong dedication. Her early track record in civil society includes the 2004 Gawad Dangal ng Lipi for Public Service by the Bulacan Provincial Government, Outstanding Businesswoman and Outstanding Woman in 2000 by the Meycauayan City Government, Governor of Soroptimist International of the Philippines Region, 2006 – 2008, and Federation Director of Soroptimist International of the Americas, 2008 – 2010, which reassures her constituents of her unwavering commitment.
In addition to women’s empowerment, Rep. Villarica also promotes flood control, especially since her district is the downstream of the Manila Bay Riverbasin. Bulacan’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes Marilao, Meycauayan, and Obando, has seen a prioritization of flood control since the District Representative assumed office in the 15th Congress. She collaborated with the Department of Public Works and Highways to facilitate riverwalls with pumping stations throughout the district.
Rep. Villarica’s commitment to flood control is unwavering, as she experienced the challenges of Typhoon Ondoy, which occurred before she assumed office. She initiated the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System multi-stakeholder talks, engaging the mayors of the local government units in its rehabilitation and flood control. Her proactive approach and collaborative efforts reassure stakeholders of her dedication to their safety and security. Thanks to her initiatives, the risk of flooding in the Fourth Congressional District has significantly decreased.
As the District Representative, she also facilitated the construction of numerous schools, barangay halls, and even a birthing center in Obando. Another way she empowered her constituents was by supporting and stimulating local commerce. Her efforts in establishing many farm-to-market roads in Sta. Maria, Bulacan, when it was still part of the Fourth District, and the expansion of the Malhacan – Iba – Bahay Pare Road in Meycauayan, which connects the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to McArthur Highway, have significantly improved the accessibility of these areas, boosting local trade and commerce.
Meanwhile, in the House of Representatives, she is the principal author of 130 bills and co-author of 177 others. She is also a member of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal and Vice Chair of the Committees on Agrarian Reform and Social Services. She is currently serving her second term as President of the AWLFI. Moreover, her 30-year advocacy for women with the international volunteer group Soroptimist International and the Philippine Red Cross, which resulted in broad international exposure, led her to accept the chairmanship of the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality and the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the 16th and 17th Congress, respectively.
Rep. Villarica’s impressive credentials and continuous presence in her community were a result of her dedication as a public leader. She sees her office as a platform to give women from various sectors a voice while advocating for prosperity and security, among other conditions in her jurisdiction. It’s why her constituents trust and appreciate her as their District Representative.
