The Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) convened its 2nd Semester 2025 Meeting on August 12, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the RDC Hall, NEDA Region IV-A Building, Barangay Milagrosa, Calamba City.
The meeting was presided over by OIC-ARD Michael R. Lavadia, with RGADC members and representatives in attendance. The discussions covered updates on matters from the previous meeting, particularly on pending requests for GAD statistics and informal sector data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA); the recent GFPS Functionality Assessment Training conducted last June; and the launching of the CALABARZON GAD Agenda 2025鈥�2030 during the 2025 Regional Women鈥檚 Month Celebration.
Strengthening the region鈥檚 pool of GAD experts, nine applicants were also confirmed as part of the CALABARZON GAD Resource Pool (Batch 3), including Ms. Thea Maries P. Perez, Faculty Member of the College of Economics, Management, and Development Studies.
Preparations for the 12th Regional GAD Convention set in November 2025 were approved, featuring plenary sessions, cultural presentations, and exhibits. The Committee also approved the FY 2026 RGADC Work Plan, which outlines key activities including the Regional Women鈥檚 Month Celebration in Cavite and several capacity-building initiatives.
Another major decision was the non-renewal of the PCW-RGADC Partnership Agreement as the intended outcomes of the 2021鈥�2024 partnership had been achieved and RGADC has built institutional capacity to operate independently. Still, PCW will continue providing guidance and support. The proposed CGRP Directory was also endorsed for submission to the RDC to enhance accessibility of certified GAD experts in CALABARZON.
For information, University of the Philippines Los Ba帽os announced its First Gender and Development Research Conference on October 27, 2025, with the theme 鈥淐hampioning Change: Gender Initiatives for a Transformative Academic Culture Towards a Sustainable and Resilient Future.鈥� Twenty slots were allotted for RGADC members. Reports on the First Semester 2025 Activities were also presented, highlighting the successful conduct of the Regional Women鈥檚 Month Celebration and the GFPS Training.
Finally, the membership request of the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog was noted but deferred until the 2026 reorganization meeting. (by Janeal Krayjn Rebutazo)
