The 15th day of August 2019 became significant to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XII upon accepting the Chairpersonship of Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) of Region XII. As one important support Committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC) XII pursuant to PCW- NEDA Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2016-01, the DILG XII was humbly challenged to continue the strengthening of GAD mainstreaming from the regional level down to local government units as mandated by the Republic Act No. 9710, otherwise known as “Magna Carta of Women”.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) XII Regional Director Atty. Erlan P. Deluvio personally handed in the folders containing the documents of RGADC XII as a symbol of turned- over of  responsibilities and functions stipulated in the Partnership Agreement for 2018- 2021 with Philippine Commission on Women (PCW). CHR led the Committee from June 2018- June 2019.

On behalf of Regional Director Josephine Cabrido- Leysa, CESO V, LGCDD Chief Maria Theresa D. Bautista and Regional Legal Officer Atty. Michelle Anne Viejo instantly discussed on the same day with PCW Executive Director for Operations Maria Kristine Josefina Balmes and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) XII GAD Regional Focal Apollo Y. Manlawe the Work Plan for August 2019 to August 2021.

Consequently, the DILG XII as the new RGADC XII Chair, in collaboration with PCW, will be conducting two (2) major activities the (a) Levelling Session on GAD, Gender Mainstreaming, Gender Analysis  and Use of GA Tools and GAD Planning and Budgeting for PLGUs and (b) Regional GAD Budget Forum on October 14- 16, 2019 and November 28-29, 2019, respectively.