Two dynamic, young women are now at the helm of both the city government of Quezon City and its Rotary International District 3780—the only district to be organized within the territory of one city. Last June 30, Hon. Josefina “Joy” Belmonte took her oath of office as the 11th mayor of the city, but only its second female mayor. On the same day, the new City Mayor, in what she smilingly described as her “first official act” graced District 3780’s Induction & Handover Ceremonies in Okada Hotel to induct into office her good friend, Congressional Representative Bernadette “BH” HerreraDy, as the district’s 33rd Governor, and similarly its second female governor.
More than 800 Rotarians and guests attended this historic event hosted by the Service Presidents of RY 2005-2006, “classmates” of Governor BH, as she is fondly called. It was a grand celebration of Rotary’s time-honored tradition of passing the baton of leadership and the solemn oath of office for the highest officer of a district. Immediate Past District Governor Pastor “Mar” Reyes, and his Inspiring Team, handed the symbols of authority to the Champions of Service Team led by Herrera-Dy.
Truly, a historic first and an auspicious start for this great city, as Mayor Belmonte asked the Rotarians of Quezon City to help her address the pressing needs and challenges facing her new administration. She appealed for a renewed and more vigorous public-private partnership between the city government and the 100 Rotary clubs of D-3780 for the common good of the people and communities of Quezon City. “We need the help of Rotarians to re-build our City, Rotarians who are true servant leaders and who have only the best interest of the people at heart,” Belmonte said.
Herrera-Dy, elected to the 17th Congress of the Philippines as representative of Bagong Henerasyon Party list, will certainly raise Rotary to a higher level of service and performance as she brings with her more than three decades of experience in public service and governance. She will certainly connect Rotary to the various sectors of society—to bring about positive and meaningful change. Perhaps, more than any other Rotary leader, Herrera-Dy can truly elevate the level of participation and partnership between the government, both national and city, and the 100 Rotary clubs serving the communities of Quezon City, as well as the 10 Rotary Districts of the Philippines.
This was published in the September 2019 issue of the Philippine Rotary Magazine.
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