The City Planning and Development Office together with the Gender and Development unit of the City Government of Isabela under the leadership of Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, in partnership with accredited women-led Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), successfully held a Gender and Development (GAD) Agenda Writeshop on September 25, 2024, at Joveth’s Hall, Isabela City. The event gathered more than 60 participants to include GFPS Technical Working Group, members of the Local Council of Women, other women-led civil society organizations, to collaboratively develop the GAD Agenda for the city. IPMR Mary May Julhari and Councilor Karel Sakkalahul, Committe Chair for GAD and Women, Children and Family Affiars were also invited to join the writeshop.
The program kicked off with welcome remarks and an overview of the activity delivered by Ms. Mendry-Ann A. Lim, City Information Officer and GAD Focal. Ms. Lim emphasized the importance of GAD in promoting inclusive development and reiterated the city’s commitment to gender equality and empowerment. She has also provided the purpose of the GAD Agenda, outlining the agency’s GAD vision, and mission, and programs and goals to be pursued over a six-year period.
Engr. Gay G. Palagtiosa, City Planning and Development Coordinator, led the session on the GAD Agenda Planning Process. This was followed by a comprehensive Gender Analysis and the presentation of the City of Isabela’s GeRL (Gender-Responsive Local Governance) Self-Assessment results.
In the workshops, participants were tasked with listing and prioritizing gender issues and gaps based on GeRL Form F—LGU Action Points, facilitated by Engr. Merewyn C. Sadjail, PDO III of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) guided by Ms. Mendry Ann Lim. The participants were divided into groups and tasked to identify and prioritize gender issues and the corresponding strategic action plans to address them. They also revisited the city’s GAD Vision and Mission and identified strategic GAD goals under the guidance of Engr. Palagtiosa.
Key activities included formulating GAD outcome statements, outlining GAD indicators, and setting annual targets to ensure measurable progress. These sessions were crucial for the comprehensive development of the city’s GAD Strategic Plan.
Architect Marie Grace G. Tipa, PDO IV from CPDO, facilitated the workshops on identifying GAD Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs) and investment programming. She also led the discussions on creating a robust GAD Monitoring and Evaluation Plan to track the progress of the agenda.
The writeshop concluded with Engr. Sadjail guiding participants in writing the GAD Agenda for 2026-2028. Ms. Lim wrapped up the event by outlining the ways forward, reaffirming the city’s commitment to gender-responsive governance. Councilor Karel Annjaiza Sakkalahul, expressed her gratitude to all attendees in her closing remarks.
This activity also served as a venue for discussion on different perceptions and insights on GAD and gender mainstreaming. This collaborative effort between the local government and women-led CSOs marks a significant step towards achieving a gender-fair, inclusive, and sustainable development for the City of Isabela. (Words by R. Natividad-Sarael, CIO/Photos by KJ Evardo, IsaTV)
