The Department of the Interior and Local Government Region III in partnership with the Civil Service Commission Region III spearheaded the conduct of the 1st Regional Convention of All LGU/NGA Focal Point Persons and other program implementers of Gender and Development (GAD) on March 28, 2012 at the Department of Health Region III Conference Room. The said activity, with the theme “Where is GAD Now?” aims to re-examine the GAD Program through the Implementation of Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women along with the identification of issues and concerns on gender and development in the region.
The convention was led by DILG Regional Director Florida M. Dijan, CSC Regional Director Karin Litz P. Zerna with Philippine Commission on Women Planning Officer Karen Dagnalan as resource person and Angeles City GAD Focal Person Purita Pineda-David as guest sharer. It was attended by 102 GAD focal persons and implementers of LGUs and National Government Agencies in Region III.
RD Dijan in her welcome message said that God is the first advocate of Gender and Development because when He created the first woman, He took her out of man, not out of his head to top him, nor out of his feet to be trampled underfoot, but out of his side to be equal to him and near his heart to be loved. RD Zerna on the other hand, briefly shared how the convention was conceptualized by both the DILG and CSC. She likewise expressed her thanks to the participants for gracing the event.
Ms. Karen Dagnalan of the Philippine Commission on Women served as the main speaker for the said activity and discussed a walk-trough on the program vis-à-vis RA 9710. Ms. Purita Pineda-David, GAD Officer of Angeles City meanwhile, shared the city’s best practices regarding programs involving women empowerment.
Mr. Darwin D. David, Chief of the DILG Capability Development Division discussed the successes and the hindering factors of the GAD program in each province in the region along with the progress made through its implementation. A workshop was conducted wherein participants identified issues and problems in their respective areas and how such will be addressed, through the LGUs and national agencies concerned.
In the afternoon, Mr. Martin Porres B. Moral presented the draft Guidelines on Gender Mainstreaming and Localization of the Magna Carta of Women to the participants. A very productive workshop ensued wherein particular sections of the guidelines were critiqued. All suggestions are well noted, compiled and submitted to both the PCW and DILG BLGD for consideration in the finalization of the said guidelines.
