The Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) under the leadership of Mayor Sitti Djalia Turbain-Hataman convened its 1st Quarter Meeting on February 16, gathering focal persons and representatives from various offices to align plans and strengthen gender-responsiveness for the year ahead.
The meeting formally opened with a message from SP Committee on Gender and Development chair Councilor Karel Annjaiza Sakkalahul, who emphasized the importance of collaboration, accountability, and unified action in advancing gender-responsive governance.
City Information Officer and concurrent GAD Focal Mendry-Ann Lim then led the discussion on key agenda items, beginning with the DILG Memorandum on the GFPS endorsement of GAD Plan and Budget to ensure proper alignment and gender-responsiveness at barangay level. She also presented the plans and preparations for the 2026 Women’s Month celebration activities, highlighting the need for coordinated activities across offices.
Further, CIO Lim discussed the upcoming Philippine Commission on Women Final Assessment, clearly outlining the requirements and documents that need to be complied with by concerned offices. The discussion focused on ensuring completeness of reports, proper documentation, and readiness for evaluation. She also emphasized that Isabela City has advanced as the only Local Government Unit in Region IX to qualify as a finalist for the Gender and Development Local Learning Hub assessment this year.
The status of the city’s 2025 GAD Accomplishment Report, achieving a strong performance of 98.12% as of January 31, this year. The body also discussed the call for submission and timeline of the 2027 Gender and Development Plan and Budget.
In other matters, a symbolic return of responsibility was conducted through the turnover of the key to the newly elected president of the Local Council of Women, Miriam Suacito, by outgoing president Sheila Pagarigan. The turnover, witnessed by CIO Lim and Councilor Sakkalahul, signifies continuity of leadership and strengthened partnership in promoting women empowerment initiatives in the city. (Words by R. Albani, GAD-U/Photos by M. Santos, CIO)
