As part of its continuous pursuit of inclusive and gender-responsive local governance, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XI successfully integrated gender concepts into the Orientation on the Calendar Year 2025 Regional Institutional Development Support Program (RIDSP) held from April 22 to 25, 2025, at the Apo View Hotel, Davao City.

Jointly organized by the Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division (LGMED) and the Local Government Capacity Development Division (LGCDD), the activity convened DILG field officers from across the region to align on institutional development priorities and to strengthen gender awareness in governance work.

To enrich the orientation, DILG XI strategically included a session on Gender Sensitivity and the Use of Gender-Fair Language, led by OIC-Provincial Director Djamyla M. Caballero of DILG Davao Occidental. Known for her strong advocacy on gender equality, PD Caballero facilitated an insightful discussion that reintroduced core gender sensitivity principles and challenged participants to reflect on their roles in breaking gender stereotypes within the bureaucracy and the communities they serve.

A key focus of the session was the use of gender-fair language—a fundamental yet often overlooked aspect of daily communication. PD Caballero emphasized that language shapes perceptions and realities; thus, adopting gender-fair terms is a step toward dismantling systemic bias and promoting inclusive discourse in governance.

Participants expressed appreciation for the session, noting that it provided both practical tools and renewed motivation to apply gender sensitivity in their technical work, policy recommendations, stakeholder engagements, and everyday professional interactions.

By embedding gender concepts into a major technical orientation, DILG XI underscored that gender responsiveness is not a separate or secondary concern—it is integral to effective governance and institutional development. Their joint initiative reflects the Department’s commitment to mainstreaming gender in all its programs, services, and engagements.

This collaborative and forward-looking approach marks another milestone in DILG Region XI’s journey toward building a more inclusive, equitable, and gender-sensitive governance landscape—where every voice is valued, and no one is left behind. CEF