The Department of Science and Technology celebrated the 2024 DOST Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point Assembly last November 30, 2024, at the Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City.
The celebration is a testament to the Science Department’s commitment to mainstreaming gender equality in its programs, services, and initiatives.
Winners were selected based on their performance in four entry points of the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework Tool: Policy, People, Enabling Mechanism, and Programs, Activities, and Projects (PAPs), each weighted at 25%.
The winners per category were as follows:
Regional Office Category:
∙ 1st Place: DOST Regional Office VII
∙ 2nd Place: DOST Regional Office IX
∙ 3rd Place: DOST Cordillera Administrative Region
Attached Agencies Category:
∙ 1st Place: DOST-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration
∙ 2nd Place: DOST-National Academy of Science and Technology
∙ 3rd Place: DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute
PSHS Campus Category:
∙ 1st Place: PSHS Central Mindanao Campus
∙ 2nd Place: PSHS SOCCSKSARGEN Region Campus
∙ 3rd Place: PSHS Ilocos Region Campus
Each winner was awarded a trophy and a cash prize, with the top winners receiving Php 15,000 for first place, Php 10,000 for second, and Php 5,000 for third. The event also featured two inspiring resource speakers, beginning with Ms. Emerlita V. Valdeavilla, Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), who discussed the importance of continuous action for gender equality, stating that excellence has no gender and further encouraged efforts to empower women in all sectors, including science and technology.
The second speaker was Ms. Nenita M. Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Bestfriend Goodies. Tan shared her entrepreneurial journey and mentioned how her business empowers women in rural municipalities by offering sustainable income opportunities through partnerships by providing pre-processed raw ingredients used in their products.
By recognizing the achievements of the DOST agencies and their unwavering commitment to gender mainstreaming, the event set the stage for an even more inclusive future where people can contribute equally to the progress of science, technology, and innovation in the Philippines. (By Azel Beatrice Cabiscuelas, DOST-STII)
