The Population Division of the Governor’s Office hosted the Gender and Development Executive Committee (GAD-EXECOM) meeting on March 19, 2025, in the Paniqui Hall, Patricio Dumlao Sr. Executive Building, Capitol Compound, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

The agenda for the meeting included the revisions in the Magna Carta of Women discussed by the DILG, the Gender and Development focal point system, and the Gender and Development Budget for 2026. The revisions to the Magna Carta of Women within the province include changes to its enforcement and require most government employees to be more educated on the issues that fall under the Magna Carta of Women, and that all actions be conducted with full transparency.

The Gender and Development Focal point system was also discussed, as a new Assessment Tool became free to access for the Gender Focal Point System Technical Working Group (GFPS-TWG). The tool may now enable the TWG to assess gender responsiveness and effectiveness. Most members would now also be required to undergo capacity building training, as well as choose a chairperson from within their own ranks. A new GAD database was also shared for the purposes of streamlining reportage on GAD accomplishments.

These accomplishments of the GAD-EXECOM were also laid bare in the meeting. The GAD-EXECOM managed to achieve much of their goals in their client-focused and organization-focused mandates; these included addressing the fitness and health issues of their clients, and conducting capacity-building training and awareness campaigns within their organizations. As far as the former, the GAD-EXECOM lent their support to the execution of the LCE – Healthy Lifestyle Program, encouraging clients to participate in activities such as yoga, Zumba, and rope-flow. As for the latter, the GAD-EXECOM managed to conduct several orientations and workshops, as well as distribute IEC materials to 35 offices, on the Safe Spaces Act and a new Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines tool.

Armed with new capacities and greater awareness thanks to the efforts of the GAD-EXECOM, the employees of the provincial government as well as their clients might now gain better safety for women. This effort is a significant step in also gaining gender equality within the province of Nueva Vizcaya. /igmb

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