Davao City, Quezon, Iloilo and Aklan joins PCW roster of Local Learning Hubs for GAD
More options are now available for Local Government Units (LGUs) and other institutions who wish to learn how gender-responsive local governance is done.
The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) conferred the Gender and Development (GAD) Local Learning Hub (LLH) certification to Davao City and the Provinces of Quezon, Iloilo and Aklan in separate local activities held in March, the National Women’s Month. They join Naga City to complete the roster of the first five LGUs that PCW certified as LLH. Each of them were awarded with glass markers that they are to put on display in the LGU and program offices to indicate that the LGU and the local program is a PCW-certified LLH on GAD.
In a statement, PCW Deputy Executive Director Manuela M. Silva shared that the Commission embarked on certifying LLHs on GAD to respond to the need to have practical examples on how gender mainstreaming could be done in LGUs.
“LGUs have huge potentials in ensuring that appropriate programs and services are available for the people since they are the ones providing direct services to the communities. We hope that through the LLH, knowledge-sharing and replication of good practices in addressing different concerns of women among LGUs will be strengthened.” Deputy Executive Director Silva said.
The certified LGUs of Quezon, Iloilo and Naga City were partners of the GREAT Women Project implemented by PCW with the assistance of the Canadian Government. The various capacity building interventions of the Project enabled these LGUs to gain expertise and experience in gender mainstreaming at the local level, particularly in the field of women’s economic empowerment. As learning hubs, their lessons from the GREAT Women Project will be shared with other LGUs.
To be certified as LLH, an LGU should have initiated notable GAD efforts with evident results and have the potential to be replicated by other LGUs. The LGU should be willing and able to respond to the requests of interested LGUs or other institutions that wish to learn from their experiences. Certified LLHs will be given priority by PCW in the provision of technical assistance like levelling session on GAD core messages, training on GAD tools and guidelines, and mentoring and coaching of potential GAD trainers.
Quezon Province models local GAD mechanism, health coupon for indigents and multi-sectoral approach in resource management
In Quezon Province, PCW Board Member Isabelita J. Escovilla and Deputy Executive Director Silva presented the LLH marker to Governor David C. Suarez in a gathering witnessed by local government officials and around 8,000 members of the Kalipunan ng LipingPilipina at the Quezon Convention Center on March 27.
The Province was recognized for its efforts in advancing gender-responsive local governance, and the establishment of the Provincial GAD Office (PGAD) that servesas the provincial coordinative and monitoring mechanism for gender and development mainstreaming.
Two of the Province’s projects, the Lingap sa Kalusugan Para sa Barangay (LKB) and the Quezon 2 in 1 Project which received the GalingPook Local Governance Award were also certified by PCW as GAD Local Learning Hubs.
The Province is recognized for pioneering the implementation of a coupon system to ensure access of indigent and marginalized constituents to health services through the LKB. It is also commended for its Quezon 2 in 1 Project that responds to the practical gender needs of coastal communities for food source and alternative livelihood. It is also acknowledged for promoting multi-sectoral participation in the conservation, rehabilitation and protection of mangrove forests towards secure livelihood of coastal communities.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Suarez said that the Province is ready to take up the challenge of enhancing their programs especially for women and children.
“Sa lahat ng mga kababaihan na nandito ngayon, mga mamamayan, kayo ang mga nagsisilbing inspirasyon, ang isa sa mgar ason kaya’t araw-araw ay sinisikap ng pamahalan ng lalawigan na pagalingin ang aming pamamalakad,” he added.
Iloilo sets example on LGU convergence for women’s economic empowerment and using RBM framework for GAD program planning, implementation monitoring and evaluation
In Iloilo Province, PCW Board Member Paloma R. Papa together with PCW technical officers presented the LLH marker to Provincial Board Member and Chair of Women’s and Family Affairs, Shalene P. Hidalgo during the Forum on Women Leadership on March 27 as part of their women’s month celebration.
Iloilo was recognized by PCW as an LLH for institutionalizing the results based-management framework in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of GAD programs, establishment of partnership and convergence with municipal LGUs in organizing women entrepreneurs and in setting up of common service facilities to strengthen women-led enterprises and promote local economic development.
In her acceptance speech, Board Member Hidalgo assured PCW that the Provincial Government will continue to support and empower women in the province.
Davao City exemplifies institutionalization of GAD Division, free legal assistance for VAW, provision of safe environment for the employees and its constituents’ children while pursuing productive activities and reformative programs for women in detention
In Davao City, PCW Deputy Director for Management Services Cecile B. Gutierrez presented the LLH marker to City Administrator Atty. JhopeeAvenceña on March 30 during their flag raising ceremony.
Davao City was certified as an LLH for setting-up a Gender and Development Division which will monitor the mainstreaming efforts of the city and an Office of the Special Counsel for Violence againstWomen (VAW) offering free legal assistance to victims.
The City has also been recognized by the PCW for putting-up Child Minding Centers which provide safe environment for children while their parents are pursuing productive activities, and for its project Ray of Hope Davao City Female Dormitory which provides reformative programs to women in detention in helping them to reintegrate in the society.
In her message, Deputy Director Gutierrez lauded Davao City for being a committed partner of PCW in its GAD initiatives. She also suggested the official of city government to update the latter’s Women and Development Code to harmonize with its provisions of GAD Code Guidelines and other mandated laws such as the Magna Carta of Women.
Aklan champions male involvement in addressing VAW, provides services to women and children
In Aklan Province, PCW Board Member Dr. Maria Paloma B. Papa, Technical Services Division Chief Nharleen S. Millar and PCW technical officers presented the LLH marker to Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo during the provincial government’s flag raising ceremony on March 30.
Two notable programs of Aklan Province, the Aklan Comprehensive Center for Women which provides gender-responsive services to women and children in difficult circumstances, and the Men Opposed to Violence against Women Everywhere (MOVE) – Aklan which organizes men as active partners in ending VAW were certified by the PCW.
In her acceptance speech, Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpostressed that the bigger challenge for them after being certified as an LLH is sustainability, noting that they are now expected to maintain, improve and stand as living example in the country in promoting and implementing GAD programs. She reaffirmed the LGU’s commitment to mainstream GAD in their plans and activities.
The certification of LLHs is an initiative of the PCW under its Local GAD Resource Program to identify and showcase notable efforts on gender mainstreaming at the local level. It aims to institutionalize the sharing and replication of LGU experiences to strengthen GM efforts.
LGUs interested to learn from the five LLH on GAD may contact:
- Quezon Provincial Gender and Development (PGAD) Office
Ms. OfelPalayan- Department Head
Contact Number: Telefax: (042) 373-71-75 | 660-3791
Email Address: pgadofficequezon@gmail.com / pgadofficequezon@yahoo.com.ph - lloilo Provincial GAD Council (PGADC)
Ms. Alma Ravena – Department Head-Human Resource Development Office
Contact Number: (033) 336-8151 | 337-1739
Email Address: iloilogadunit@iloilo.gov.ph - Davao City Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD)
Ms. Lorna Mandin – Officer in Charge
Contact Number: (082) 226-8011
Email Address: igdd@davaocity.gov.ph - Aklan Provincial Planning and Development Office
Engr. Roger M. Esto – Coordinator
Telephone number (036) 268-5442 | 262-1555
Email Address: ppdoaklan@gmail.com - Naga City Council for Women (NCCW)
Co-Chairperson Councilor Cecilia Veluz De Asis
Contact Number: 0917-5030350 or telephone number (054) 473-3377
Email Address: nenedeasis@yahoo.com.
