DA-WV strengthens gender mainstreaming through two-day capacity building for GFPS

The Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas convened members of its Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) for a two-day capacity-building workshop on updated GAD laws, institutional mechanisms, and planning and budgeting guidelines held on January 29–30, 2026 in Iloilo City.

The training aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of gender mainstreaming imperatives and to reaffirm the agency’s commitment to gender equality and social inclusion across all agriculture programs and services.

Regional GAD Coordinator Dr. Gina Borja said that gender responsiveness in agriculture is not just a compliance measure but a strategic approach that amplifies the effectiveness of development interventions. She emphasized that empowered farmers, regardless of gender, sector, or social standing, are vital in building resilient and inclusive agri-food systems in Western Visayas.

Throughout the workshop, participants were guided by Ms. Lorena T. Yunque of the Philippine Commission on Women–National GAD Resource Pool (PCW-NGRP). She provided an in-depth discussion of national policies and institutional requirements for GAD mainstreaming.

Her session on “What and Why GAD?” revisited key concepts such as gender equality, equity, gender issues, and the GAD framework grounded in sustainable development. She also reiterated the significance of the Magna Carta of Women and other mandates that require all government agencies to establish functional GAD structures and plans.

A substantial portion of the workshop focused on strengthening mechanisms for effective GAD implementation within the institution.

Ms. Yunque walked participants through the GAD Mainstreaming Strategy, the Harmonized GAD Guidelines (HGDG), and the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework which are essential tools that help agencies assess, design, and measure gender responsiveness in their programs.

Participants also engaged in workshops on gender analysis using the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF) and the HGDG, enabling them to identify gender gaps and recommend responsive interventions relevant to DA Western Visayas.

The sessions likewise covered GAD Planning and Budgeting (GPB), including the identification of gender issues, priority mandates, and the development of gender-responsive GPB forms. Ms. Yunque clarified how to properly attribute GAD budgets using the HGDG to ensure that agencies can justify and optimize their allocated GAD resources in line with legal and audit requirements.

One of the event’s highlights was the assessment of the functionality of the DA WV-GFPS using the Functionality Assessment Tool. Participants reviewed the group’s organizational structure, policies, and competencies. ###Text & Photos by Maria Corazon Buala/DA-RAFIS 6