CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Empowering Local Government Operations Officers (LGOOs) in the realm of Gender and Development (GAD), the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regions 9, 10, and Caraga, conducts Track 2 of the Ladderized Levelling Session, September 25–27.
This intensive session marks a critical step in nurturing awareness and enhancing knowledge concerning GAD, aiming to equip participants with a comprehensive mastery of gender analysis tools and local GAD planning and budgeting processes.
Track 2 will facilitate an in-depth exploration of gender analysis tools and the intricacies of GAD planning and budgeting. Participants will engage in extensive discussions, covering the step-by-step procedures for the preparation, submission, review, and endorsement of Local Government Unit (LGU) GAD Plans and Budgets (GPB), as well as GAD accomplishment reports.
Lawyer Kristine Rosary Yuzon-Chaves, executive director of PCW, highlighted the importance of DILG and its regional offices in promoting gender mainstreaming efforts at the local level. She emphasized the influential role of DILG in all LGUs and the significance of enhancing expertise in GAD within their ranks.
"Ang atong regional offices has a big role para mapalambo nato ang atong gender mainstreaming efforts ug atong gender and development sa atong nasud kay infleuntial kaayo ang atong DILG sa tanan nato LGU [Our regional offices have a big role so that we can improve our gender mainstreaming efforts and our gender and development in our country because DILG is very influential in all our LGUs]," said Attorney Chaves.
The participants, who previously completed Track 1 of the Ladderized Levelling Session, will undergo an immersive learning experience focusing on gender analysis tools such as the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF), Gender Focal Point System Functionality Assessment (GFAST), Gender Responsive LGU Assessment (GeRL), and Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG).
Lawyer Khristine Kay Lazarito-Calingin, chief GAD specialist of PCW-North Mindanao Field Office (NMFO), said at the end of Track 2, participants are expected to: 1) understand the purpose and use of GAD tools; 2) learn to administer GAD tools and translate results into gender-related issues for GPB preparation;
3) Review processes involved in local GAD planning and budgeting using the GAD Planning and Budgeting Monitoring System (GADPBMS); 4) understand the Guidelines on the Audit of GAD Funds used by the Commission on Audit; 5) discuss and address GAD-related concerns; and 6) develop an action plan for applying lessons learned during the training.
The session employs a combination of lecture discussions, workshops, and extensive preparatory activities. Participants will administer the GMEF tool, assess the GeRL tool application, and use the HGDG Design Checklist.
PCW-North Mindanao Field Office (NMFO) will closely monitor the implementation of action plans developed by each region, ensuring the integration of these plans into their respective agency GAD Plans and Budgets.
The PCW remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing gender mainstreaming and empowering local government units to create inclusive and gender-responsive communities. Through initiatives like the Ladderized Levelling Session, PCW and DILG work together to promote gender equality and development at all levels of governance. (RTP/PIA-10)
