Proudly ala-GADs ng Bayan at ng mga Kababaihan: PCW recognizes own GADvocates during its 49th anniversary celebration
Working for the national entity for gender equality and women’s empowerment is not just a career option; it is a calling to serve the country, especially women and girls, by challenging deeply ingrained social norms that hinder them from achieving their full potential. And yes, it is keeping the passion for gender and development (GAD) burning despite the seemingly endless challenges and impossibilities coming your way, or even when no one else is fighting with you.
In other words, to be a GADvocate (advocate of gender and development) is both a calling and a choice. A choice that is fulfilled by working at the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW)..
Thus, giving credits to its employees’ contributions to the attainment of its vision of influencing development efforts towards gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls is absolutely necessary. That’s why on its recently held 49th anniversary celebration, which served as the agency’s recognition day as well, PCW gave back to its most valuable assets, its own personnel.
PCW Office of the Executive Director: One of the highlights of the 49th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Commission on Women was the presentation of its 2023 accomplishments.
Through the OED, the agency has successfully completed the annual surveillance audit conducted on November 29, 2023 and has been recommended for continued ISO 9001:2015 certification. In this photo, former PCW Executive Director and Officer-in-Charge Atty. Kristine Rosary E. Yuzon-Chaves was joined by current PCW Officer-in-Charge Atty. Khay Ann C. Magundayao-Borlado and personnel from the Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Management Services (ODDMS), Deputy Executive Director Maria Kristine Josefina G. Balmes and personnel from the Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Operations (ODDO),
the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women (IACVAWC) Secretariat, and the North Mindanao Field Office (NMFO).
The Women’s Commission, which will celebrate its golden anniversary next year, is composed of six delivery units: Administrative and Finance Division (AFD), Corporate Affairs and Information Resource Management Division (CAIRMD), Policy Development, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division (PDPMED), Sectoral Coordination Division (SCD), Technical Services and Regional Coordination Division (TSRCD), and the Office of the Executive Director (OED) where the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women (IACVAWC) Secretariat and the North Mindanao Field Office also belong. Hand in hand, these teams work so that the 49-year-old agency can continue serving its purpose and fulfilling its vital roles:
- Primary policy making and coordinating body on women and gender equality concerns
- Catalyst for gender mainstreaming
- Authority on women’s concerns
- Lead advocate on women’s empowerment, gender equity, and gender equality in the country
Presenting the loyalty, educational, and special awards were then Executive Director and Officer-in-Charge Atty. Kristine Rosary E. Yuzon-Chaves, current PCW Officer-in-Charge Atty. Khay Ann C. Magundayao-Borlado, Deputy Executive Director Maria Kristine Josefina G. Balmes, and PCW Commissioner for Business and Industry Sector Catalina G. Leonen-Pizarro.
PCW Policy Development, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division. Through its PDPMED, the Women’s Commission held the Gender and Development Transformation and Institutionalization through
Mainstreaming of Programs, Agenda, Linkages, and Advocacies (GADtimpala) 2023 Awarding Ceremony and represented the Philippines in various international commitments such as the following: United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW) 67, Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation, Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Constructive Dialogue or Revalida, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation-Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy (APEC-PPWE), and Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The PCW also provided technical inputs on different types of bills, legislative-related documents, local and international reports, and GAD-related policy documents as well as issued memorandum circulars on GAD.
Raise the GAD Flag: The Herstory of the PCW ERAISE
Looking back on herstory, PCW has always envisioned a future where women, through their leadership in the family, community, and all fields of endeavor, effectively contribute to and benefit from sustainable development and gender-responsive governance. And this vision is realized by pursuing the agency’s mission of making government work for gender equality and women’s empowerment through the forging of critical partnerships with key national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society organizations (CSOs).
Nonetheless, partnering with other GADvocates will not be possible if PCW is not composed of officials and employees who are GADvocates themselves. So, as a gender-responsive agency, the Women’s Commission primarily concerns the development and retention of a competent and efficient workforce so they will become instrumental in achieving the agency’s mandates and thrusts and organizational effectiveness.
PCW Technical Services and Regional Coordination Division: Through its TSRCD, the Philippine Commission on Women successfully conducted ceremonial re-certifications of five GAD local learning hubs, submitted three monitoring and evaluation reports on GAD LLH based on monitoring and evaluation visits, reviewed 15 Gender-Responsive LGU (GeRL) Assessment Tool results submitted by LGU applicants, conducted the third Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) Summit, and provided hundreds of GAD-related technical assistance.
This gave birth to the PCW Employee Recognition Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (ERAISE) where high-performing employees are recognized with monetary and/or non-monetary awards such as performance incentives, honor awards, national awards, loyalty awards, educational awards, special awards, among others. ERAISE is in line with the revised policies on Employee Suggestions and Incentive Awards Systems (ESIAS) provided under Civil Service Commission Book V of Executive Order 292 and its Omnibus Rules.
A successful ERAISE, according to PCW, is designed to encourage creativity, innovativeness, efficiency, integrity, and productivity in the public service. And by recognizing and rewarding its officials and employees for their high performance, superior accomplishments, exemplary behavior, other personal efforts, and extraordinary acts in the public service, the agency will be producing effective ala-GADs who will continue championing gender equality and women’s empowerment even in the next 49 years and beyond.
PCW Sectoral Coordination Division: Through its SCD, the Women’s Commission assessed and validated the gender mainstreaming performance of 30 agencies using the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF) Tool, provided GAD-related responsive technical assistance, conducted coordination activities for the implementation of partnership with key implementing agencies, and provided technical inputs
on national and international documents in the sectors of education, environment, peace and security, and women’s economic empowerment.
Loyalty is an Identity: PCW awards its most loyal GADvocates
As PCW endeavors to always motivate its officials and employees and provide them with opportunities to engage in performance and behavior that will significantly help the agency achieve its goals, it holds an annual awarding ceremony to recognize personnel who have shown their loyalty, commitment, dedication, and satisfactory service.
PCW 2024 Loyalty Awardees: Another highlight of the Philippine Commission on Women’s anniversary celebration was the awarding of its loyal GADvocates. Through its Employee Recognition Awards and Incentives
for Service Excellence (ERAISE), PCW recognized sixteen officials and employees for their loyalty and dedication to government service including its longest-serving GADvocates who have been public servants for 35 years: Ms. Anita E. Baleda from the Policy Development, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PDPMED) and Mr. Ricardo J. Garmino from the Administrative and Finance Division (AFD) Records Section.
For this year’s loyalty awards, the Women’s Commission awarded sixteen officials and employees for their respective years of government service.
5-Year Service Award
- Mary Gladys A. Esquival (CAIRMD)
- Ma. Raessa M. Madoli (AFD – Cashier)
- Avery Silk S. Arevalo (PDPMED)
- Jomay F. Tiauzon (PDPMED)
- April Mae Anne I. Mariano (SCD)
- Chary Grace C. Catubag (AFD)
10-Year Service Award
- Maricar D. Villaluna (Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Management Service)
- Kim Harold T. Peji (TSRCD)
- Macario T. Jusayan (SCD)
20-Year Service Award
- Aletha B. Abdon (TSRCD)
- Honey M. Castro (CAIRMD)
- Vicky T. Atanacio (CAIRMD)
25-Year Service Award
- Nharleen Santos-Millar (TSRCD)
30-Year Service Award
- Rey B. Silverio (AFD)
35-Year Service Award
- Anita E. Baleda (PDPMED)
- Ricardo J. Garmino (AFD–Records)
Education is Empowerment: PCW recognizes GADvocates for academic achievements
The PCW also recognized employees who personify the line in the 2021 Panunumpa ng Lingkod Bayan, “lilinagin ko ang aking sariling kakayahan upang sa lahat ng panahon ay mapaglingkuran ko nang buong kahusayan ang sambayanan” through educational achievement awards.
PCW 2024 Educational Awardees: Four GADvocates from the Women’s Commission were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements. From left to right, we have Mr. Kim Harold T. Peji from the Technical Services and Regional Coordination Division (TSRCD)
and Ms. Ma. Rebecca Rafaela R. Baylosis from the Policy Development, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division (PDPMED) who were both hailed as Outstanding PCW Scholar, Atty. Nevicshky P. Calma from the Corporate Affairs and Information Resource Management Division (CAIRMD) who was given the Sariling Paglilinang ng Kaalaman Award for completing her academic degree for Juris Doctor without availing
of funding or scholarship assistance from the government and a Special Recognition for passing the 2023 Bar Examinations, and April Mae Anne L. Mariano from the Sectoral Coordination Division (SCD) for completing her Master of Public Administration degree.
Sariling Paglilinang ng Kaalaman Award
Awarded to two employees who completed their academic degrees without availing of study leave, funding, or scholarship assistance from the government.
- Nevicshky P. Calma (CAIRMD) for completing her Juris Doctor degree
- April Mae Anne L. Mariano (SCD) for completing her Master of Public Administration degree
Outstanding PCW Scholar Award
Awarded to two employees who both completed their Master’s Degree Program in Gender and Development under scholarship grant from the Korea International Cooperation Agency and the Seoul National University Graduate School of International Studies – Development Cooperation Policy Program.
- Ma. Rebecca Rafaela R. Baylosis (PDPMED) graduated as batch valedictorian and received the Most Outstanding Action Plan Award
- Kim Harold T. Peji (TSRCD) graduated with honors and received the Outstanding Action Plan Award
Special Recognition
A special recognition was also given to Atty. Nevicshky P. Calma (CAIRMD) for her exceptional achievement in passing the 2023 Bar Examinations.
Going Above and Beyond: Conferring special awards to exceptional GADvocates
Moreover, PCW bestowed special awards upon individuals and groups of individuals for their exemplary performance and behavior, which included different categories identified by the agency’s ERAISE committee and consistent with PCW’s ERAISE Policy as approved by the Civil Service Commission. This is part of the agency’s efforts to maintain a work environment that is full of respect, honor, and opportunities for all regardless of gender and employment status.
PCW 2024 Special Awardees: The Philippine Commission on Women also conferred the following special awards to its exceptional GADvocates for going above and beyond the call of duty: Good Office Management Award to the Finance Group (Accounting, Budget, and Cashier), Most Active Employee Award to Vicky T. Atanacio (CAIRMD), Attitude is Everything Award to Therese Keith L. Mamaril (SCD) for the Plantilla Employee and Angela Keith B. Sagun (AFD) for the COS Personnel, COS Personnel of the Year Award to Anna Laurene D. Maravillas (IACVAWC Secretariat), Most Promising Employee of the Year Award to Nicole A. Montesines (PDPMED), Gender Catalyst Individual Award to Elizabeth B. Omas-as (SCD), Gender Catalyst Team Award to the Corporate Affairs and Information Resource Management Division (CAIRMD), Exemplary Behavior of the Year Award to Elizabeth B. Omas-as (SCD), Gawad ng Direktor Award to Ma. Rebecca Rafaela R. Baylosis (PDPMED), and Gawad ng Empleyado Award to CAIRMD Chief, Honey M. Castro.
For this year’s special awardees, the Women’s Commission recognized two teams and eight individuals.
Good Office Management Award
Awarded to Finance Group (Accounting, Budget, and Cashier) for being most effective in demonstrating the 5S Principles of Housekeeping (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Systematize, and Sustain) in their designated office for the year 2023.
Most Active Employee Award
Conferred to Vicky T. Atanacio (CAIRMD) for actively participating in the agency’s activities and demonstrating outstanding teamwork and cooperation, which resulted in the achievement of the PCW organizational goals.
Attitude is Everything Award
Also called the Best in Conduct Award, this recognition is given to PCW personnel who have displayed good manners and right conduct, are willing to extend a helping hand despite difficult circumstances, and have maintained a positive outlook that is manifested in their physical appearance and behavior towards others. This was awarded to two employees:
- Plantilla Employee: Therese Keith L. Mamaril (SCD)
- Contract of Service Personnel: Angela Keith B. Sagun (AFD)
COS Personnel of the Year Award
Bestowed upon Anna Laurene D. Maravillas of the IACVAWC Secretariat for displaying and manifesting strong initiative, hard work, dedication, and teamwork and working on her duties and responsibilities beyond expectations and requirements.
Most Promising Employee of the Year Award
Awarded to Nicole A. Montesines (PDPMED) for displaying dedication, innovativeness, self-development, and outstanding achievements in line with her work that resulted in a gender-responsive work process and/or improved implementation of PCW policies and programs.
Gender Catalyst Award
Awarded to an individual or team for their contribution of an idea/suggestion that resulted in the gender-responsiveness of work processes, or improvement in systems, procedures, policies, and programs in PCW with direct benefit to stakeholders.
Individual Category: Elizabeth B. Omas-as (SCD)
Team Category: CAIRMD
Exemplary Behavior of the Year Award
Given to Elizabeth B. Omas-as (SCD) for demonstrating exemplary service and conduct on the basis of her observance of the PCW core values namely, Passion for Excellence, Professionalism, Integrity, Teamwork, and Accountability.
Gawad ng Direktor Award
Given to Ma. Rebecca Rafaela R. Baylosis (PDPMED) for her unwavering commitment to development work and exceptional passion in pursuit of gender equality and women’s empowerment resulting in her outstanding contributions to PCW
Gawad ng Empleyado Award
Coinciding with the annual ERAISE recognition rites of PCW, the Employees Association (PCW-EA) which is the Sole and Exclusive Negotiating Agent of all PCW employees, likewise confers the Gawad ng Empleyado Award to a member of the Management Committee for promoting, protecting, respecting, and fulfilling the rights of labor, employment, and welfare of all PCW employees.
For this year, the PCW-EA conferred the award to CAIRMD Chief, Honey M. Castro. “Her exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment to PCW core values, and for being an exemplary role model embodying the principles of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. Her decision-making skills, solution, oriented approach, and constructive conflict resolution contribute to a culture of trust and collaboration. As a considerate staff manager, innovator, and dedicated advocate, she supports policies that uphold the rights, dignity, and welfare of PCW employees,” the award citation said.
PCW Corporate Affairs and Information Resource Management Division: Through its CAIRMD headed by Ms. Honey M. Castro, the Women’s Commission successfully conducted the 2023 National Women’s Month Celebration and the national 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) along with its award-winning #VAWfreePH advocacy. Other notable achievements of the agency were the development
and launching of the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children (IACVAWC) website, the airing of the
Tinig ng Kababaihan radio program on digital TV, and its full compliance with the set of Freedom of Information (FOI) requirements validated
by the Presidential Communications Office.
Congratulations to PCW’s Remarkable GADvocates!
“Celebrating the achievements of PCW in its 49th year also brings us the recognition of the remarkable GADvocates within the agency. These accomplishments would not have been possible without the exceptional Juanas and Juans who remain steadfast, dedicating and committing their lives towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. Your efforts to continue learning and growing with the Commission and going above and beyond to contribute to the attainment of our mission must never go unrecognized,” Deputy Executive Director Balmes, who chaired this year’s PCW ERAISE Committee, proudly said.
PCW Administrative and Finance Division: Through the efforts of its AFD, the Philippine Commission on Women has achieved the following milestones in 2023: 1) unqualified audit for six consecutive years, 2) timely submission of reports to reportorial oversight agencies, 3) 100% full implementation on the Agency Action Plan and Status of Implementation, and 4) 100% compliance to audit recommendations on the Baseline Assessment of Internal Control System.
PCW held its 49th anniversary celebration and ERAISE Awarding Ceremony on January 25, 2024 at the Hotel Lucky Chinatown in Manila. Previously known as the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women, the agency was created by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 633 on January 7, 1975 and was the first national women’s machinery established in Asia. It was renamed as the Philippine Commission on Women with the enactment of the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710) in 2009.
