PCW hails DSWD, TESDA as the most gender-responsive agencies
The Philippine Commission (PCW) declared the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as the country’s most gender-responsive agencies, during the awarding ceremonies and culminating activity of the 2014 Women’s Month Celebration, on March 28, 2014 at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.
The DSWD and TESDA both received the GADtimpala Bronze Award, besting other 13 national government agencies.
During the validation process, the PCW has recognized the DSWD’s integration of gender aspects in its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (PPPP) and Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), and TESDA’s implementation of gender-responsive programs such as the TESDA Women’s Center (TWC).
Both agencies have also met the GADtimpala’s basic criteria including the submission of GAD Plan and Budget (GPB) and Accomplishment Report (AR) to PCW for the last three consecutive years and a functional GAD Focal Point System, among others.The DSWD and TESDA both received a plaque of appreciation and P25, 000 cash prize.
In her opening remarks, PCW Executive Director Emmeline Verzosa said she is hopeful that all government agencies in the country will implement Gender and Development (GAD) programs efficiently and effectively.
“We challenge all government agencies to improve your GAD plans and programs. We are looking forward to see more agencies joining the GADtimpala and becoming more gender-responsive,” she added.
Meantime, Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) received GADtimpala citations from PCW.
The GADtimpala, which was launched in October 2013, is a response to the Section 43 of the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) Implementing Rules and Regulations wherein the PCW is mandated to establish an incentives and awards system to deserving government agencies for their outstanding achievement in upholding the rights of women and effective implementation of gender-responsive programs.
Women’s Month short filmmaking contest
In January 2014, the PCW launched the Women’s Month short filmmaking contest which aims to raise public awareness on women’s issues, particularly the vital role of women in disaster response, media, peace building, politics and governance, and reproductive health.
The contest also intends to gather college students’ perception on women’s issues, including but not limited to the above-mentioned areas.
On February 27, 2014, five short films out of 44 entries nationwide emerged as this year’s winners:
• Women and Media Category: “Sindirela” of Malayan Colleges Laguna;
• Women and Peacebuilding: “Sa Mata ni Elsa” of Emilio Aguinaldo College Manila;
• Women’s Political Participation: “Dakilang Inano” of Polytechnic University of the Philippines Main Campus; and
• Young Women’s Reproductive Health: “Piring” of University of Southeastern Philippines (Davao)
Winners of each category received P25,000 cash prize and plaque of recognition.
The entries were judged according to the following criteria: Relevance to the Theme (50%), Creativity and Style (30%) and Composition and Originality (20%). The contest’s board of judges are Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Board Member Marra Lanot, film director Ellen Ongkeko Marfil, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Deputy Director Marlene Ruth Sanchez and PCW Executive Director Verzosa.
Meantime, entry “Sa Pagpili Mo” of Holy Angel University Pampanga was declared as the People’s Choice Awardee after gathering more than 6,500 Facebook likes. Representatives from the said university received P15, 000 and a plaque of recognition.
The awarding ceremonies serve as the culminating activity of the 2014 Women’s Month Celebration carrying the theme, “Juana, ang Tatag Mo ay Tatag Natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong!”
