PALO, Leyte — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in Eastern Visayas supported the conduct of Gender and Development (GAD) Executive Briefing for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Region VIII, held on 27 September 2024 at the Felipina Hall, NEDA Regional Office VIII in Palo, Leyte.
Organized by the Regional Development Council VIII-Regional Gender and Development Committee (RDC VIII-RGADC), the briefing, which aimed to deliberate on gender-responsive initiatives, policies, and programs within the SUCs, was part of the 2024 RDC Week Celebration.
The briefing consisted of four sessions: a presentation on the Women and Men Situationer in Region VIII by the Philippine Statistics Authority VIII; a discussion on Gender Mainstreaming Policy Imperatives conducted by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW); a presentation on GAD Planning and Budgeting also by PCW; and an orientation on Commission on Higher Education (CHED) MemorandumOrder No. 01, Series of 2015, Establishing the Policies and Guidelines on GAD in the CHED and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), facilitated by CHED VIII.
In her welcome remarks, RDC VIII Vice-Chairperson and NEDA VIII Regional Director Meylene C. Rosales highlighted the integral role of the SUCs in creating a gender- responsive environment and the importance of including the briefing in the RDC Week Celebration, showcasing the Council’s commitment to advancing GAD in the region.
She encouraged participants to consider the briefing as a venue to explore how GAD can be integrated into the SUCs’ curricula, research, and extension programs, as well as an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to embedding GAD principles at the core of higher education.
It was also a platform to address critical GAD-related issues in educational institutions, particularly the need to strengthen policies protecting students and staff from gender-based concerns.
“Let’s embrace the opportunity to mainstream gender in all aspects of our institutions
and use education as a tool for equity and social justice,” she said.
Rosales also clarified that GAD is about achieving equity rather than equality by addressing the unique needs of each gender. While women often require special attention due to their reproductive health needs, GAD must promote inclusivity for all genders, without neglecting the needs of any, especially the men.
She called on everyone to embody the spirit of #MabuligAko, reminding them that development without genuine concern for people is shallow.
“As NEDA’s motto states, ‘Sentro ang tao sa Plano’—at ang tao can be babae o lalaki,” she underscored. (NEDA Eastern Visayas)
