The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), through the Gender and Development Program, conducted the Orientation and Workshop on the Formulation of the 2025-2030 UPV GAD Agenda on 17 May 2024 at the J7 Plaza Hotel, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Eighty five GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) members, unit heads, and other personnel representing the different colleges and units in the University participated in the activity.
The program commenced with an opening message from Dr. Clement C. Camposano, Chancellor of UPV, where he reiterated the need to re-examine beliefs, attitudes, and interactions in everyday life that might unwittingly contribute to gender inequality. He also highlighted the need to ensure that University policies are gender-responsive and encouraged UPV constituents to strengthen their commitment towards gender mainstreaming.
Ms. Lorena T. Yunque, an Independent GAD Consultant and Member of the National GAD Resource Pool of the Philippine Commission on Women, served as the main resource speaker during the event. In the first session, Ms. Yunque discussed key components of the GAD Agenda, while in the second session she addressed steps in its formulation. She also delivered a lecture on crafting a GAD mission, vision, and goals; prioritizing gender issues or GAD mandates; outlining GAD outcomes, indicators, baseline, and targets; and translating these into programs, projects, and services.
A session was also dedicated to assessing the current state, progress, and challenges in gender mainstreaming. Ms. Ira G. Pahila, Senior Economic Development Specialist of the National Economic and Development Authority Region VI, provided an overview of the 2023-2028 Western Visayas Regional Development Plan, along with the priorities and milestones of the Regional Gender and Development Committee. This ensures that the University’s GAD Agenda aligns with the Regional Development Plan and contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality).
Additionally, Dr. Farisal U. Bagsit, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Chair of UPV’s Performance Management Team presented UPV's Strategic Initiatives and Five-Point Agenda to harmonize with the University’s GAD Agenda. It was followed by a presentation on UPV's milestones in gender mainstreaming by Ms. Kezzie Lyn B.Hilado, Officer-in-Charge of the UPV Gender and Development Program.
A workshop was also conducted in the afternoon to assess the functionality of the GFPS using the GAD Focal Point System Functionality Tool. The participants were divided into three groups to evaluate specific areas: 1) Structure and Function of the GFPS, 2) Fulfillment of the GFPS Roles and Functions based on Structure, and 3) GAD-Related Competencies of the GFPS Members. Following this, a sharing session and plenary discussion on workshop outputs took place.
The participants then drafted an action plan for formulating the 2025-2030 GAD Agenda. A planning team will be formed to develop a series of capacity-building workshops from July to August, focusing on capacitating the UPV GFPS in GAD agenda formulation. The program concluded with a closing message from Prof. Encarnacion Emilia S. Yap, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, where she emphasized integrating gender mainstreaming into the university's culture across all UPV colleges and units.
