BONTOC, Mountain Province – A training on the Gender and Development (GAD) Functionality Assessment Tool (GFAST) that covers basic GAD concepts, the localization of the Magna Carta on Women, and GAD Planning and Budget (GPB) was recently conducted at Fesway Building, Sitio Eyeb in Poblacion barangay.
The training, which ran from October 22 to 24, 2023, was led by the Provincial Population Development (PopDev) Office in partnership with the Cordillera office of the Commission on Population Development (CPD-CAR) and participated in by the Provincial Gender Focal Point System (GFPS) members of provincial government.
According to PopDev Officer Eunice G. Andaya, the training aims for the members of the GFPS to have a finer appreciation of the basis for GAD while successfully enhancing their knowledge on the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework, Gender Responsive Local Government Unit, GFAST and GPB.
“These assessment tools will be applied on gender analysis to identify issues, goals, and strategies to mainstream gender perspectives in the plans and programs of the PLGU,” Andaya said.
In addition, CPD-CAR Regional Director Cecile A. Basawil expressed her delight with the provincial government in taking the leap to ensure that the GFPS is capacitated in their functions so that all members are oriented on their roles and will continue honing their “GAD lens” which requires that when we look at a problem, we look at it through the perspective of GAD.
“It is in accepting the differences and diversity in gender that we take each one’s special needs especially in our projects and programs, and this leads us to a society where no one is left behind and hopefully be happier with the services we offer,” Basawil said.
Finally, Executive Assistant Ernesto Bondad relayed the message of Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., sharing that the training is in line with the governor’s stance in eradicating any form of discrimination in the workplace and throughout the province as a whole.
“We must always work together in achieving development for our province by providing opportunities for all as we take down the walls of discrimination and move forward regardless of gender, age, race and status,” Bondad said. By Hail, MP
