PCW and RGADC – CAR officials signing the renewal of partnership agreement during the National Women’s Month Culminating Program in Baguio City last March 28.
BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the Cordillera Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) commit to continued collaboration in advancing gender equality and women empowerment in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
A three-year (2025-2028) partnership renewal agreement was signed during the RGAD-CAR led National Women’s Month closing ceremony at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-CAR) Regional Office here last March 28.
PCW OIC Deputy Executive Director for Operations Anita Baleda and Technical Services and Regional Coordination Divisions OIC Kim Harold Pej signed for the PCW while signatories for the RGADC-CAR are its chairperson, Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Maria Aplaten, co-chairperson Ferdinand Gonzales, and vice chairperson Commission on Population and Development-CAR Regional Director Cecile Basawil represented by Hazel Bandas.
The agreement involves the preparation of an annual work plan of the RGADC in consultation with the PCW that will identify the activities that will be undertaken and implemented under the partnership.
The gender equality and women empowerment initiatives in Cordillera will also be guided by the Gender and Development agenda for 2025-2031 that was crafted through the collaboration of RGADC-CAR and PCW.
DSW Assistant Secretary Janet Armas lauded the PCW and the RGADC for their continuing partnership and renewed commitment in pushing for the country’s GAD agenda in the Cordillera.
“The renewed partnership agreement between the Philippine Commission on Women and RGADC-CAR signifies a strengthened alliance dedicated to institutionalizing gender-responsive policies and programs,”Armas said.
“This collaboration is a vital step in reinforcing our commitments and ensuring that gender and development remain at the heart of our regional and national agenda,” she added.
Aplaten thanked the PCW for being a steadfast partner over the years, providing invaluable guidance, expertise, and support in institutionalizing GAD across policies and programs and in ensuring that gender mainstreaming remains at the core of regional and local development efforts.
Baleda also expressed PCW’s gratitude for another remarkable milestone in advancing gender mainstreaming at the regional level.
“You have our full support as we move forward to this meaningful endeavor. Congratulations and may we sustain the momentum towards a truly gender responsive and inclusive future,” Baleda said. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
