Sangguniang Panlalawigan Boardmember Hon. Maria Rosario Eufrosina P. Nisce, better known as Chary Nisce guested in the Kapihan sa DMMMSU together with DZAG 97.1 Radyo Pilipinas aired an episode on Women Empowerment entitled, “Babae ka, Hindi Babae lang” on March 7, 2023, hosted by Ms. Maricel Montemayor Fronda, and Ms. Claire Pascua.

During her talk, Hon. Nisce recalls the time when she was involved in a vehicular accident in 2018, where she was unable to walk for two months. This accident made her realize to slow down, but that was also the rare time of reflection for her not to sit still and stay that way because she believes that she’s living a life with a purpose, not for herself or for personal gain, but for the community.

She said that it was not her dream to enter public service and that her growing-up years were normal. During her elementary years, her life as a student was normal and she only became a student council officer during her high school years at Saint Louis College.

During her college years, she just learned to adapt, adjust to the environment, and make the most of it. The challenge and opportunity only came then, and her leadership journey only started when her father and other family members suggested and encouraged her to join politics and showed her how to do it properly and correctly, how to have a purpose, and how to structure work and life balance.

She then became a city councilor for the City of San Fernando from 2007 to 2010, and this was her first experience serving the people. She mentioned the importance of moving out of your comfort zone and living your life in a direction where you have been pushed and called, making the most of it, and being up to the challenge. But she also stressed the importance of being equipped and educated.

When asked if she experienced challenges as a woman when she became a provincial board member of La Union, she answered that she became a provincial board member in a most historic moment where there were seven women board members out of 13 members. In the middle of changes in the global and international scene, these women are fighting a good fight and advancing the cause of women.

She mentioned the need for some sectors to be uplifted and the importance of having women at the table where decisions are made, as this is the only way we can achieve change. And during the time of changes in policies, it is the only time we can influence decisions that will affect many people.

She further mentioned how lucky they were because the Province of La Union embraces the leadership and principles of a feminist leader where justice is for all, that human rights are what they are fighting for, not just that of the LGBTs’, not just women’s, not just solo parents’ rights, not just PWDs’, and senior citizens’ rights, but it’s Human Rights that they are fighting for. That is what Hon. Nisce is trying to implement.

Hon. Nisce shared about the solidarity movement and programs that were implemented for women and one of them is the transition of the Gender and Development Code which became the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Ordinance or the GESI CODE four years ago where all people were included. This program aims to eradicate discrimination, marginalization, oppression, and subordination in the community.

Some of her programs during her third term as a City Councilor and Coard Member of La Union are the establishment of a localized functional VAWC desk in every barangay, the search for the 10 outstanding VAWC desks in the Province, the La Union anti-discrimination ordinance, the gender and development code, the gender equality and social inclusion code, the localization of the anti-trafficking in women and children, the Safe Spaces Ordinance or the Anti-Bastos Ordinance, and many more.

She emphasized that the existence of this ordinance is attributed to those who reach out, people who avail the services, and people who speak up. She advised people who have experienced harassment to go to the desks in the barangay, because this is when the system starts.

She also added that we need to protect ourselves, as this type of crime exists due to inherent gender inequality, a lack of education and awareness, a lack of empathy, and there is poverty. These societal ills that trap us in this condition make the fight even harder.

She also advised women who are in a position of vulnerability to take a break that they need, take some rest, and do what makes them feel good and feel better for themselves. She also advised to talk to somebody, to a family member, to a good friend, to a guidance counselor, or whomever they respect and admire because this helps, that they seek out ways to make themselves feel better, seek out people, and activities that will help them.

She ended her talk with the quote, “Treat everybody the way you want to be treated. That’s the golden rule.” She left a message and thanked everyone for continuing to promote a gender-fair and inclusive society because this is not just an individual journey, but a community’s journey.

Hon. Nisce is the daughter of the former Vice Governor of the province, Hon. Aureo Nisce and Mrs. Marivic Nisce. She is the number one elected Provincial Board Member of the First District of La Union, and she previously served as a city councilor in San Fernando City, La Union for three terms.

She is also one of the members of the Committee on Finance, Budget, and Appropriation of the Provincial Board, the Committee on Women, Responsible Parenthood, and the Gender and Development Chairperson.

Hon. Nisce attended her college at the Ateneo de Manila where she studied Management Communication Technology. She also graduated with a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship from the Asian Institute of Management.

When she became a public servant, she was one of the recipients of Master in Public Management Program at the Ateneo School of Government which was sponsored by former Mayor Mary Jane Ortega and Pablo Ortega. According to her, these very good experiences capacitated her in terms of governance and legislation. (By Glesa Din)