QUEZON CITY, (PIA) --The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to launch Gender and Development (GAD) Seal Certification Program to recognize outstanding institutional gender mainstreaming initiatives of its regional offices (ROs) nationwide.
DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr. said the program is being implemented this year to serve as an incentive and recognition program through an in-depth assessment of the current gender mainstreaming mechanisms of the offices within the Department.
“The DILG is committed towards raising the bar in the promotion of GAD-related initiatives in the government sector and of course we would want it to start from us. Itong GAD Seal Certification Program is our contribution towards that goal and a tangible proof of the recipients’ efforts to champion GAD initiatives,” Abalos said.
“Bilang Kagawaran na nagsusulong ng good local governance, kinikilala natin ang kahalagahan ng GAD upang makamit ang tunay na pag-unlad. By promoting GAD, we are championing a gender-responsive, inclusive, and sustainable development for all,” he added.
He said the GAD Seal Certification Program will have three components, namely, Assessment Criteria and Documentary Requirement, the Scoring System, and the Certification Procedure itself.
Abalos said the pilot year of the GAD seal certification program will focus on DILG regional offices in 2023, excluding the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Subsequently, he added, the program will extend to DILG provincial offices and local government units from 2024 onwards.
In DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2023-070, Abalos explained that DILG ROs will be assessed based on the following criteria: utilization of at least 5% of the Agency’s/Institution’s total budget for GAD; institutionalization and functionality of the GFPS; establishment of GAD database; establishment and functionality of committee on decorum and investigation (CODI); availability of breastfeeding station and child-minding station; establishment of GAD corner; provision of GAD-related training or technical assistance; and a showcase of GAD-related initiatives or GAD best practices.
He said that ROs that acquire a score of 15-19 points shall receive the GAD Seal Certification.
The GAD Seal, Abalos explained, will be valid for one year for the qualified entity and shall be renewed to ensure compliance with the eligibility and minimum requirements set. He further said that the said Seal shall bear the DILG logo and a unique GAD logo design, QR code, GAD Seal Number, date of issuance, validity period, and the name and signature of the DILG Secretary.
The DILG Chief also added that the National Assessment Committee (NAC) Secretariat from the DILG-CO GFPS and Bureau of Local Government Development (BLGD) shall collect all documentary requirements and/or means of verification from June to July 2023.
The conferment ceremony of the GAD seal certification, which has a one-year validity, will take place on October 2023.
The GAD seal certification program was first administered in Region XII when the Regional Gender and Development Committee XII enjoined all regional line agencies to comply with the minimum requirements derived from Republic Act No. 9710 (Magna Carta of Women) and other related laws to earn the GAD seal certification and declare the Prime Regional Center XII as a GAD Zone. The DILG Central Office decided to replicate the GAD seal certification program as a way to promote gender mainstreaming nationwide. (dilg/pia-ncr)
