LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) - - In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Department of Education – Cordillera (DepEd – CAR)   recognized   the first awardees of its REGADNItion Award program that honors outstanding men and women and school district division in implementing Gender and Development (GAD) activities and initiatives.

The REGADNItion stands for REcognizing GAD Notable Implementer with distinction. It is an awards system initiative of DepEd CAR that aims to recognize empowered women and gender sensitive male personnel, and   School Division Offices (SDO) or organizations with outstanding GAD programs.

What makes the recognition project unique is its “PRIDE Award” which is for the LGBTQIA+ personnel of DepEd – CAR.

For the 2022 REGADNItion Empowered Women category, awardees  are  Benguet School District Superintendent (SDS) Gloria Buya – ao, Mountain Province SDS Sally Ullalim, Jacqueline Lunag of Ifugao, Lorna Llaneza of SDO Abra, SDO Apayao Teacher 3 Joyce Angaden, SDO Kalinga Principal Mary Joy Anggaboy, Cresencia Na-oy of SDO Tabuk City and Mary Grace Payad of SDO Baguio City.

For Best GAD Implementer, awardees are the School District Offices of Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Ifugao and Mountain Province.

For  the PRIDE Award,  given recognition were Benjamin Sacla of Benguet, Sherwin Luglug of Ifugao, Arlee Bitibit of Apayao, Ronald Marquez Abra, Jonny Macababbad of Kalinga, Arneil Bagayao of Mountain Province and Raymark Valentino of Baguio City.

DepEd – CAR officials headed by Assistant Regional Director Florante Vergara led the awarding of plaque of recognition to the awardees during the International Women’s Day program last March 8 with Benguet Governor Mechor Diclas as the invited guest of honor and speaker.

The DepEd-CAR, as the lead agency of the Cordillera Regional Gender and Development Committee, led an inter – agency motorcade from the Benguet State University compound up to the DEPED Regional Office before the program proper.

Vergara said that under the directive of DepEd – CAR Regional Director Estela Cariño, the REGADNItion will be institutionalized and expanded to include other stakeholders in the education sector. Aside from recognizing GAD champions, it will also identify the region’s nominees for higher GAD award system. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)