The South Cotabato Provincial Population Office (PPO) conducted a seminar-workshop to draft the Provincial GAD Plan and Budget for 2026 as part of its commitment to mainstreaming gender and development (GAD) initiatives. The event took place from February 12 to 14, 2025, at Agua Frio Garden Resort in Koronadal City.
A total of 46 members of the Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) attended, including 14 men and 34 women. Their participation reflected the province’s dedication to gender equality and inclusive policymaking. This aimed to enhance the development, funding, and integration of gender-responsive initiatives into local government projects.
Key speakers included Jennevieve Marie P. Ferry from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) South Cotabato, along with Jo-ann B. Palacio, Joy B. Londres, and Sam Cyrus G. Bayog from the Provincial Population Office. Their insights deepened participants’ understanding of best practices in GAD implementation, capacity-building measures, and relevant policy guidelines.
A major focus of the discussions was Joint Memorandum Circulars 2012-01 and 2013-01, which outline the framework for gender-responsive governance. Participants worked together to develop the GAD Plan and Budget for 2026 at both departmental and provincial levels, ensuring that gender concerns remained a priority in policymaking and implementation.
By the end of the workshop, participants had successfully drafted and presented their proposed GAD plans, reaffirming the province’s commitment to gender inclusivity and women’s empowerment. The consolidated GAD Plan and Budget for 2026 was set to be integrated into the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) and the annual budget of relevant offices to ensure effective execution.
This initiative highlighted South Cotabato’s ongoing efforts to empower communities, uphold gender rights, and enhance mechanisms for gender-responsive development. The Provincial Population Office remained committed to advancing GAD advocacy, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring that policies translated into meaningful action.
