Author : Atty. Camille Flores
Strengthening Gender-Responsive Governance through Capacity Building
The Department of the Interior and Local Government Region XI (DILG XI), through the active participation of its Regional and Provincial Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Persons, together with the Chairpersons of the Provincial and Highly Urbanized City–Local Government Unit (HUC-LGU) GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) Technical Working Groups (TWGs), took part in the Training of Trainers (TOT) on the PCW-DILG-DBM-NEDA Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2024-01 (Mindanao Cluster 1) held on January 26–28, 2026 at the Acacia Hotel.
The three-day TOT aimed to capacitate key personnel who will serve as frontliners in cascading the Revised Guidelines on the Localization of the Magna Carta of Women to local government units. It provided a comprehensive orientation on the updated policies, standards, and processes under JMC 2024-01, the parameters for review of the LGU GPB and GAD AR, and the application of the HGDG guidelines.
Through lectures, workshops, and practical exercises, participants enhanced their competencies in promoting harmonized and gender-responsive planning, budgeting, and implementation at the local level. The presence of regional and provincial GAD leaders underscored DILG XI’s commitment to strengthening institutional mechanisms that advance gender equality and women’s empowerment across Mindanao.
The TOT was made possible with the support of the Australian Government – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through the Social Protection, Inclusion and Gender Equality Program.