Gender and Development (GAD) corner

The Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act No. 9710) defines Gender and Development Program (GAD) as the development perspective and process that is participatory and empowering, equitable, sustainable, free from violence, respectful of human rights, supportive of self-determination and actualization of human potentials. It seeks to achieve gender equality as a fundamental value that should be reflected in development choices and contends that women are active agents of development, not just passive recipients of development.

The initiative to celebrate National Women's Month was established through Presidential Proclamation No. 227, which recognizes March as "Women's Month Role in History." This proclamation highlights the contributions of Filipino women to the social, cultural, economic, and political progress throughout our nation's history.

In line with this effort, the DENR CALABARZON participated in the month-long nationwide celebration with various ceremonies and activities organized by the Philippine Commission on Women, following the theme "WE for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society" and the sub-theme, "Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas!"

The Regional GAD Focal Point System (RGFPS) led several activities in support of the CY 2025 National Women's Month Celebration (NWMC), to wit:

As part of the NWMC, the DENR CALABARZON displayed the 2025 official banner from March 1 to March 31, 2025. This was showcased in front of the office to express the organization's commitment to promoting gender equality and an inclusive society.

The opening ceremony for the NWMC of DENR CALABARZON took place on March 3, 2025, featuring various activities during the launch.

At the start of the flag-raising ceremony, a video of the All-Women Cast performing Lupang Hinirang was showcased to pay tribute to the influential women leaders in the Philippines who have made significant contributions to the nation, accompanied by a performance from the DENR Chorale Women. The flag-raising was led by RGFPS Chairperson and Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria, along with the Vice-Chairperson of RGFPS and Assistant Regional Director for Management Services Ronita A. Unlayao.

Another part of the program featured a trivia game with a twist. This was organized by the RGFPS from the Planning and Management Division (PMD). It took the form of an online quiz accessed through an app, where participants were given a link and QR code to join. The quiz consisted of 5 questions, and anyone could take part. Scores were determined by how quickly participants could answer correctly — faster correct responses resulted in higher scores. After each question, a dynamically generated scoreboard appeared, allowing players to see their rankings. The goal was to enhance knowledge and provide information about the celebration while offering an enjoyable and interactive learning experience. The winners of the trivia competition were all female, with a total of five participants.

The kick-off event also included the acknowledgment of solo parents. This initiative aimed to celebrate the important contributions that solo parents make to their children and society, highlighting that all women are capable and that parenting transcends gender.

The recognition was led by Eriberto B. Saños, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services, along with Ronita A. Unlayao, Vice-Chairperson of RGFPS and Assistant Regional Director for Management Services, and RED Nilo B. Tamoria. In total, 11 parents were honored — 3 men and 8 women — who received flowers and chocolates in recognition of their dedication and hard work.

The DENR CALABARZON also participated in the nationwide celebration of Women's Month by utilizing the official advocacy Facebook frame and the designated hashtag #WEcanbeEquALL. This effort was part of the online campaign launched by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), intended to garner support for the movement and highlight the aspiration for equality for everyone.

The Basic American Sign Language Workshop is an initiative included in the NWMC and aligned with the Women with Disabilities Day Celebration. It aimed to collaborate with other agencies and equip DENR employees with essential skills for effectively communicating with the Deaf community, promoting inclusivity. It also aimed to improve services for all genders within the PWD sector, fostering a more accessible and equitable society for everyone.

This was done in collaboration with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Sta. Rosa City and conducted at the Ground Floor, DENR Conference Room, Brgy. Mayapa, Calamba City, Laguna. A total of 34 employees composed of 6 males and 28 females representing all offices in the Regional Office attended.

Participants were divided into four groups and assigned two activities. For the first task, they recited a song with the support of a deaf assistant. After a practice period, each group performed in front of the audience. The second task involved creating a short skit or play. Each group developed scenarios that incorporated sign language, focusing on contexts such as work, neighborhoods, and community settings.

At the end of the activity, the participants had learned a fundamental social skill that would enhance their ability to communicate effectively with the deaf and mute community, helping to dismantle communication barriers and fostering a more inclusive environment.

The #PurpleWednesday was another celebration organized by the group. Participants showed their support by wearing purple shirts or items with a touch of purple on every Wednesday of the month, specifically on March 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2025. This color represents a commitment to women's empowerment and gender equality, serving not only to celebrate but also to inspire interest and discussion about the significance of the celebration and its underlying messages.

The Basic Chair Massage is a one-day workshop organized by the Regional GAD Focal Point System through the Planning and Management Division (PMD) of the DENR CALABARZON in collaboration with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial School of Arts and Trades (JZGMSAT).

The activity aimed to collaborate with other agencies and promote employee health and wellness by teaching stress-relief techniques and muscle tension alleviation. It also helped empower participants, regardless of gender, to incorporate self-care practices into their daily routines for a healthier, balanced work environment.

The event began with Ms. Belinda J. Ignacio, Associate Professor II and Head of the Extension Services and Community-Based Program at TESDA-JZGMSAT, who gave an overview of the fundamentals of basic chair massage and the courses and programs they provide. This was followed by discussions and demonstrations led by Ms. Cecilia C. Burgos, Assistant Professor III, and Ms. Maribel E. Suarez, Instructor II. Techniques shared included back massage methods such as relaxation techniques, thumb walking, palm massage, knuckles, and stretching. Hand massage was also discussed, covering fingers, fingertips, webs, and wrists. Facial massage techniques focused on the jaw, chin, upper lip, cheekbones, temples, and ears.

By the end of the activity, participants had acquired an essential skill for stress reduction and muscle tension relief that can be integrated into daily self-care routines.

The two-day DENR Bazaar – maGADangbuhay has been part of the agency's support initiative since 2023, serving as a means to promote Gender and Development (GAD) while showcasing products from entrepreneurs within the agency.

The bazaar was held on March 27 to 28, 2025, at the Ground Floor Conference Hall of DENR CALABARZON, providing a platform for DENR employees to display products and items. It aimed to support GAD activities and assist DENR CALABARZON employees in improving their economic standing and promoting their products.

In total, nine individuals participated, consisting of seven women and two men, who registered their items and were allocated a space or booth to exhibit and sell their offerings. Among the sellers, three were external clients, namely China Bank, Manulife, and Publishing Ministries. This type of activity encourages job creation and offers equal opportunities to all.

The RGFPS developed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials for individuals outside the organization. The IEC advocacy item created was a cap featuring the logo of Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere (MOVE).

These caps were distributed to selected male residents in Batangas and Laguna, along with DENR male clients, security guards, and utility staff. A total of 50 IEC materials were given to 50 males. This initiative served to celebrate the NWMC and to involve men in combating violence against women and gender-based violence, with the goal of promoting gender equality.