As part of the Department’s efforts towards gender and development (GAD)-responsive local governance, DILG XI recently conducted a two-day enhancement skills training on GAD responsive planning, budgeting and harmonized GAD guidelines.

The event was held at Bahay Alumni, Brokenshire, Madapo Hills here and was participated in by 32 GAD from the regional and provincial/city levels as well as planning and budgeting officers.

Regional Director Francisco Jose said the activity aims to ensure proper implementation of GAD programs and to enhance the competencies of GAD focal persons on basic gender concepts, salient features of Magna Carta for Women (MCW) and the roles of DILG on the implementation of MCW, gender related laws, directives and issuances.

At the same time, the training also intends to ensure the 5% GAD Allocation for 2013 indicative PPAs for inclusion in the Region XI GAD Plan and Budget CY 2013.

In his message to the participants, Jose underscored that gender equality is central to economic and human development in any country.

“This is the goal of Millennium Development Goal 3, and is also central to the achievement of all the other MDGs,” he said.

“Removing inequalities gives societies a better chance to develop. When women and men have relative equality, economies grow faster, children's health improves and there is less corruption. Gender equality is an important human right,” he added.

At the end of the activity, the participants were able to craft and submit the 2013 GAD Plan and Budget using the 5% GAD budget allocation and LGU Re-entry Plan to the resource person, Ms. Lilibeth D. Masangkay of DILG Planning Division of the Central Office.

The closing program was also attended by ARD Wilhelm Suyko and all division chiefs.

DILG Central News Archive DILG Regional News Archive