Munti SAGIP wins global award

By MST News | Aug. 09, 2014 at 12:01am

SAGIP (Saklolo At Gabay Ng Ina At Pamilya), a Muntinlupa advocacy group on abused women and children joined six winners of the Service Recognition Award presented recently before 1,600 delegates from more than 60 countries at the 62nd Zonta International Convention in Orlando, Florida.

The recognition is a distinct honor for SAGIP, the flagship project of the Zonta Club of Muntinlupa and Environs (ZCME), a 24/7 crisis response center caring for abused women and children.

It was the only Asian entry among 12 finalists chosen from 99 service platforms submitted by 76 Zonta clubs all over the world for the award.

A committee made up of seven representatives from different countries selected the six winners on the basis of social impact.

SAGIP ranked third overall after the medical outreach program in Ibadan, Nigeria, and the center for women victims of domestic violence in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The other winners were from Hamburg, Germany, Brisbane and Adelaide, Australia.

Zonta is a global organization of executives and professionals working to advance the status of women through service and advocacy. Receiving the award for SAGIP were ZCME President Glo Gloria, incoming ZCME President Odette Wallace and SAGIP President Menchu Genato Henson.

“We are grateful to our generous benefactors who have made it possible for SAGIP to reach out to victims of abuse, especially the Muntinlupa Mayor’s Office through Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and Congressman Rodolfo Biazon,” said Henson.

Among SAGIP’s benefactors are ICAP, Petron, San Miguel, Purefoods, PLDT, MMQ Theater and Events Group, Philippines Basketball Association, International Family Foods Services and St. James Church of the Poor Apostolate Foundation.

SAGIP was established in 1998 as a joint undertaking of ZCME and the Muntinlupa Mayor’s Office on immediate safety and healing needs of abuse victims through programs and services.

Its crisis response center provides 24-hour hotlines, emergency shelter, crisis management, medical attention, legal assistance, counseling, therapy, referrals and other forms of psycho-social intervention.

SAGIP board chairwoman Brenda L. Tanjutco, former Zonta International District 17, and Executive Director Adelle de Guzman hold office on the second floor of the Contessa Building, Rizal Street, Poblacion, Muntinlupa City at www.sagip.org and email sagipcener@yahoo.com and landlines 846-5514 and 862-0061 to 63.