RGADC-1 and PSU deepens GAD advocacy thru trainings

Staying true to its recognition as a national awardee for Gender and Development programs, Pangasinan State University hosted another regional event organized by the Regional Gender and Development Committee-1 (RGADC-1) from October 1-3, 2025 held at the PSU Golden Lion Hotel in Lingayen, Pangasinan
The three-day Leveling and Deepening Session program on Gender Analysis and GAD Tools was designed for potential Region I GAD Resource Pool (R1GRP) applicants to strengthen their capacities in supporting gender mainstreaming efforts in Region I.

𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐫. 𝐄𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐌. 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐬 and University GAD Director Dr. Romary R. Lincod, welcomed the participants from various regional Iine agencies, state universities and colleges and local government units.

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐬 lauded and reminded the GAD advocates that empowerment involves many different aspects such as voices, experiences and goals, all woven together in one collaborative endeavor. He added that trainings must lead to actions by creating spaces for women to share, supporting and lifting each other up and transforming stories into policies and progress.
Additionally, RGADC-1 Secretary, Atty. Anna Leah Romero of the Commission on Human Rights, said though the Deepening Session, participants will strengthen their understanding of gender mainstreaming mechanisms and learn the process of crafting a GAD agenda tailored to their respective agencies and localities.

For the first day, GAD topics were discussed to the participants by the following Resource Persons- Session 1 on Basic GAD Concepts by Dr. Juan Primitivo Petrola of PSU; Session 2 on Gender Analysis by Ms. Jhana Gagucas of DEPDEV; and Session 3 on Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF) by Mr. Jareason C. Fabre of MMSU.

Day 2 saw Session 4 on the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG) by Ms. Mariz Dafnae H. Mendoza of DEPDEV, while Day 3 dealt with Session 5 on the Crafting of the GAD Agenda by Ms. Kristine Anne V. Lee, Senior GAD Specialist of the Philippine Commission on Women; and Session 6 on the Administration of GFAST Tool by Mr. Ariel Del Rosario Rivera, Senior GAD Specialist from the PCW.

PSU’s Dr. Presley V. De Vera and technical working group served as the documenter of the activity.
The initiative underscores RGADC’s commitment to building a stronger pool of GAD champions who can drive inclusive, audience-based and sustainable development in the region.