By: Jasmine Sarmiento
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY— The Zonta Club of Macajalar Bay (ZCMB), the newest chartered Zonta Club under District 17, Area 3, has officially commenced its pre-launch community development initiatives.
Comprising women leaders across the medical, government, business, and academic sectors, ZCMB is deploying three targeted programs aimed at educational literacy, economic self-sufficiency, and youth mental wellness.
To bridge educational gaps in remote and economically disadvantaged barangays, ZCMB is launching a comprehensive book donation campaign. This initiative delivers storybooks and educational texts directly to local public schools and community hubs to foster a sustainable reading culture while repurposing pre-loved books.
Simultaneously, the club has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Children’s Progressive School (led by Directress Corabel Diel), and City Councilor Imee Rose Moreno to sponsor a Bread and Pastry Production NC II training program. This intensive 18-to-23-day course equips local women with 140 to 182 hours of hands-on culinary instruction, business fundamentals, and a national certification to confidently launch independent food businesses.
Concurrently, ZCMB is prioritizing high school mental wellness through its “Play It Forward” Pickleball Grassroots Program. Led by Badminton World Federation (BWF) Level 2 Coach and Shuttle Time Teacher Jen Cayetano, the initiative utilizes the fast-growing sport to offer students an active outlet for physical fitness, character development, and social connection.
“Our interim officers and prospective members are turning passion into actionable service,” the ZCMB committee stated in a joint release. “As we transition toward our formal chartering, we remain steadfast in our mission to ensure that women’s rights are recognized as human rights.”
The sports clinics target 30 to 50 local children aged 7–15 years old, focusing on fundamental skills, sportsmanship, and teamwork. ZCMB is executing this program alongside key community partners, including the local Barangay Council, the Department of Education (DepEd), local sports organizations, parents, volunteers, and Higala Pickleball.
Through these combined efforts, the club aims to instill confidence in local youth while establishing a solid grassroots foundation for future community-based development programs.
About Zonta Club of Macajalar Bay (ZCMB)The Zonta Club of Macajalar Bay (ZCMB) is the newest member of Zonta International under District 17, Area 3. Composed of diverse female professionals in Cagayan de Oro City, the organization is dedicated to advancing the status of women and girls through targeted local advocacy, livelihood training, and community service in building a better world for women and girls.
