QUEZON CITY – The Workshop on the Gender and Development (GAD) Accomplishment Report and Pre-testing of the Interview Schedule for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Sectoral Baseline Data Gathering was successfully conducted on January 28-31, 2025, at Park Inn by Radisson, North EDSA, Quezon City. The event gathered participants from the regional GAD Focal Point Systems (GADFPS) of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to discuss key updates and improvements in gender-related initiatives and data collection methods within the sector.
Representing the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera Administrative Region (MGB-CAR) were Information Officer and GAD Focal Person Dr. Sheila May V. Sanqui and Planning Officer and GADFPS Technical Working Group (TWG) member Ms. Demetria S. Saleo. Their participation highlighted the region’s commitment to enhancing gender mainstreaming efforts and ensuring accurate data collection for GAD programs.
A significant part of the workshop was the pre-testing of the interview schedule, which took place in Dulumbayan, Teresa, Rizal, a host community of Republic Cement. This activity aimed to refine data-gathering tools for a more effective assessment of gender-related concerns within communities linked to the extractive and industrial sectors. The insights gained from this pre-testing will be instrumental in developing a comprehensive sectoral baseline dataset.
Additionally, a plant tour was conducted in the morning for the participants, offering them an opportunity to observe Republic Cement’s operations firsthand. A notable feature of the tour was the visit to the company’s Waste-to-Energy Facility, where both biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste is utilized as an alternative fuel source for cement production. This facility plays a crucial role in solid waste management by catering to the waste disposal needs of Teresa and nearby municipalities, thereby reducing landfill dependency and promoting sustainable waste-to-energy solutions.
The workshop successfully facilitated knowledge-sharing among regional GADFPS members, strengthening collaborative efforts toward gender-sensitive and environmentally sustainable practices in the mining and geosciences sector. Moving forward, the refined interview schedule and enhanced reporting mechanisms will contribute to more effective GAD program implementation across DENR offices nationwide.
