Twenty-six member-agencies of the Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) XII convened at Mt. Sabrina Hotel, General Santos City to discuss and advance gender and development (GAD) initiatives in the region.

Jermie Erie Yeager, Chief of the Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD), delivered the opening message on behalf Committee Chairperson Atty Rochelle D. Mahinay – Sero, CESE, emphasizing the importance of the discussions for regional development.

Presided by CGDH II Judith Janiolam, the committee meeting featured a strong agenda focused on fostering inclusive development.

Allen Domingo, RGADC XII Coordinator from the Philippine Commission on Women, highlighted the operational guidelines and best practices for GAD learning hubs. Meanwhile, Jezreel Catedrilla, Planning Officer II from DENR XII, discussed the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG) Tool and underscored the importance of integrating gender perspectives in development projects.

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) XII, represented by Melissa Gabrielle Vargas, led the discussion on the formulation of the Regional GAD agenda, focusing on strategic priorities and action plans for gender-responsive governance.

Executive Order No. 100, series of 2019, was also discussed covering the institutionalization of a diversity and inclusion program and the creation of an inter-agency committee to promote these values.

Private Sector Representative (PSR) Ret. BGen. Joselito E. Kakilala, Chairperson of the RDC XII-Economic Development Committee, concluded the meeting by underscoring the importance of collective efforts in promoting gender equality and development, encouraging ongoing collaboration among stakeholders.

The proposed mobile RGADC XII Meeting for the 2nd Quarter CY2024 will be on the 3rd week of August, 2024 in Sarangani Province.