Written By: April Mae S. Balasabas | Photos By: Arrafi W. Bandar

Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) IX successfully conducted the 2025 Ladderized Levelling Session on Gender and Development (GAD): Track 2 on December 4–5, 2025, at the DILG IX Regional Conference Hall in Pagadian City. The activity gathered personnel from various units to strengthen their competencies in gender-responsive governance and mainstreaming frameworks.

The two-day session commenced with an Opening Message from Assistant Regional Director/Officer-in-Charge Engr. Carmelo Enrique B. Libot, CESO V, delivered by Chief Administrative Officer Willibald Patrick P. Paglinawan, who underscored the Department’s commitment to advancing gender equality in local governance. An overview of the activity was then presented by LGOO V Ronah Fe R. Changco.

Serving as the Resource Person was Asst. Prof. Arnold M. Ferolino from the National Gender Resource Pool of the Philippine Commission on Women. He facilitated comprehensive discussions on key GAD concepts and tools essential for mainstreaming gender perspectives in government programs and operations.

Day 1 featured sessions on GAD basics (review), fundamentals of gender mainstreaming, and gender analysis. The afternoon concluded with an open forum, allowing participants to seek clarifications and share practical experiences in implementing GAD initiatives.

Day 2 opened with a recap of the previous day’s discussions, followed by an in-depth exploration of the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF) and the Gender-Responsive Local Government Unit (GeRL) Assessment Tool. Participants also engaged in a session on the GFPS Functionality Assessment Tool for NGAs and LGUs, equipping them to evaluate and strengthen their respective GAD mechanisms.

The Ladderized Levelling Session on GAD: Track 2 is part of DILG IX’s continued efforts to capacitate its workforce and ensure that gender equality, women’s empowerment, and inclusive governance remain central to local development initiatives.