DILG Region XI Proudly Celebrates the Culmination of the 2026 National Women’s Month
DILG Region XI proudly celebrates the culmination of the 2026 National Women’s Month—a day filled with powerful stories, well-deserved recognition, and meaningful milestones.
From honoring our victors during the Battle of the GADiators: #GADtoKnow Campaign and the voices behind the #SheSays2026, to appreciating our dedicated bloodletting donors, the celebration highlighted the strength of individuals who continue to make a difference in their own ways.
We also marked exciting milestones with the launching of the Employee Management System (EMS) and the orientation of the DILG Intranet Mobile App. This milestone is both timely and meaningful, as it embodies the spirit of the celebration by empowering the workforce through innovation, inclusivity, and strengthened support systems.
More than a celebration, it is a testament to our commitment to the WE Agenda, where every voice matters, every contribution counts, and every individual is given the space to thrive. As echoed in the culminating message of our Assistant Regional Director: You are important. Like the Babaylans of our heritage, each of us has the power to influence, uplift, and create change. we are reminded that empowerment has long been part of who we are, guiding communities and shaping inclusive spaces.
Together, let us champion a more inclusive and equitable society—one empowered step at a time.
DILG XI Officially Kicked Off the National Women’s Month Celebration
DILG XI officially kicked off the National Women’s Month Celebration with a vibrant and meaningful program filled with empowerment, engagement, and wellness!
The celebration officially began with the ceremonial ribbon cutting, marking the start of DILG XI’s National Women’s Month activities.
The event featured health and wellness services for DILG XI Personnel, a lively Bazaar showcasing foods and local products, and the Battle of the GADiators — a GAD-related quiz competition for men, promoting awareness, understanding, and active support for Gender and Development (GAD) advocacy.
DILG XI extends its sincere gratitude to the City Government of Davao, particularly the Davao City Health Office, for generously providing free health services, and to the BCCAD for the Libreng Lugaw. Their invaluable support greatly contributed to the success of the kickoff activity.
It was truly a meaningful and engaging kickoff that highlighted empowerment, inclusivity, and shared responsibility in advancing gender equality.
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.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government Region XI (DILG XI) successfully conducted the Gender Sensitivity Training (GST
The Department of the Interior and Local Government Region XI (DILG XI) successfully conducted the Gender Sensitivity Training (GST): Building an Inclusive and Respectful Environment on November 27–28, 2025, at the Grand Menseng Hotel, Davao City.
The two-day activity was attended by newly-hired personnel of DILG XI and was conducted in compliance with Republic Act No. 9710, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women.
The training aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of gender and development (GAD) and to promote a respectful, inclusive, and gender-responsive workplace. Topics covered during the training included Basic GAD concepts, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), Gender-Fair Language, and relevant GAD-related laws and policies. Particular emphasis was given to Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2024-1, which outlines the Revised Guidelines on the Localization of the Magna Carta of Women, underscoring the responsibilities of government institutions in advancing gender equality and protecting women’s rights.
Through participatory lectures and discussions, the activity enhanced the awareness and appreciation of newly-hired personnel on gender issues and their implications in the workplace and public service. The training served as a foundational orientation for ensuring that gender perspectives are mainstreamed in DILG XI programs, projects, and activities, while reinforcing the Department’s commitment to compliance with the Magna Carta of Women and the promotion of gender equality, diversity, and inclusion within the organization.
Mainstreaming Gender-Responsiveness, Child-Friendly, and IP Rights-Inclusive Principles in the 2025 BNEO GREAT Barangays Training
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XI successfully conducted the 2025 Barangay Newly-Elected Officials (BNEO) for GREAT Barangays Program: Training on Basic Local Legislation, Parliamentary Procedures, and Alternative Dispute Resolution on November 17–19, 2025, at The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, Bo. Obrero, Davao City.
A key highlight of the three-day training was the deliberate mainstreaming of gender-responsiveness, child-friendly governance, and indigenous peoples’ rights—ensuring that barangay officials strengthen their role as frontline duty-bearers for inclusive and rights-based local governance. Atty. Edwin Dumalogdog of the Department of Justice Action Center (DOJAC) XI provided an in-depth discussion on the foundational principles of gender and children’s rights in the context of the Katarungang Pambarangay system. His session emphasized the critical responsibility of barangay officials to safeguard vulnerable sectors, promote gender equality, and ensure that barangay justice mechanisms remain accessible, sensitive, and protective of women and children.
Meanwhile, Atty. Jesus A. Villardo, III of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) – School of Law enriched the training with a comprehensive discussion on the foundational principles of Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) rights. His session underscored the importance of recognizing and respecting the cultural identities, customary laws, and ancestral domain rights of IP communities in crafting local legislation and resolving disputes at the barangay level.
Through these integrated learning sessions, newly elected barangay officials gained a deeper understanding of how inclusive governance principles—rooted in gender equality, child protection, and respect for Indigenous Peoples—must be woven into local policymaking and community-based dispute resolution.
DRRM For All: Advancing Gender-Inclusive Disaster Resilience Opens Today in Davao City Today marks the start of “DRRM For All: Advancing Gender-Inclusive Disaster Resilience,”
DRRM For All: Advancing Gender-Inclusive Disaster Resilience Opens Today in Davao City Today marks the start of “DRRM For All: Advancing Gender-Inclusive Disaster Resilience,” a three-day activity being held on November 20–22, 2025 at The Lanang Suites, Davao City.
Serving as the pre-phase of the full training module on DRRM–GAD Mainstreaming, this initiative lays the foundation for the development of a comprehensive Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CBDRRM) Module. Led by DILG Davao Occidental, the activity brings together participants from the Provincial Government and all municipalities in the province.
At the heart of the discussions is the commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind—a principle reflected in the continuing shift from simply integrating gender perspectives into DRRM to fully mainstreaming them across local systems, programs, and interventions. This undertaking is part of the Operation Listo Program funded by the Local Government Academy (LGA).
Through this effort, DILG Davao Occidental reinforces its dedication to building safer, more inclusive, and more resilient communities by empowering local governments to adopt gender-responsive and people-centered approaches in disaster resilience.
DILG XI Strengthens Gender Mainstreaming Efforts through Capacity Development for GFPS on Gender Analysis Tools
As part of its continuing commitment to becoming a gender-friendly and gender-responsive agency, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XI successfully conducted the Capacity Development for Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS): Orientation on Gender Analysis Tools on November 6–7, 2025, at The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, Bo. Obrero, Davao City.
The activity opened with a welcome message from Regional Director Abdullah V. Matalam, who underscored the significance of strengthening gender mainstreaming initiatives within the Department. He emphasized that empowering personnel with gender sensitivity and analytical skills is essential in fostering a workplace and governance environment that truly upholds gender equality.
The learning sessions were facilitated by OIC-Provincial Director Djamyla M. Caballero, CESE, who discussed Revisiting Gender and Development (Basic Principles, Legal Mandate, and Gender Mainstreaming) and Introduction to Gender Analysis: Analysis Tools and its Application. Her lectures provided participants with a deeper understanding of how gender analysis tools can be effectively applied in identifying gender gaps and formulating responsive programs, projects, and activities.
This capacity development initiative reflects DILG XI’s sustained efforts to enhance the competencies of its GFPS members and to institutionalize gender mainstreaming across all levels of operation—an affirmation of the Department’s vision of building a truly gender-friendly and inclusive organization.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XI successfully hosted the on-site validation for the Gender and Development (GAD) Seal National Assessment
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XI successfully hosted the on-site validation for the Gender and Development (GAD) Seal National Assessment on October 6, 2025, at the DILG XI Regional Office.
The National Assessment Committee (NAC), composed of Assistant Secretary Josephine F. Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III, Maria Gracia Georgia Conde, Project Officer I, and Carl Jerome H. Teodoro, Local Government Operations Officer II, conducted the assessment to evaluate the Region’s compliance with the requirements of the GAD Seal Certification Program.
During the validation, the Committee reviewed the functionality of the DILG XI Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) and the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI), as well as the utilization of GAD funds and the availability of gender-responsive facilities such as the breastfeeding station and child-minding center. The team also took note of the Region’s GAD innovations and best practices in promoting gender equality and women empowerment in local governance.
COA Central Office Conducts GAD Audit at DILG XI Davao City
Personnel from the Commission on Audit (COA) Central Office conducted a Gender and Development (GAD) Audit with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XI yesterday, September 16, 2025, at the Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC) Conference Room.
The activity was attended by members of the DILG XI Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) Executive Committee (ExeCom) and Technical Working Group (TWG). The audit sought to assess the agency’s level of gender mainstreaming and determine the extent to which GAD plans, programs, and activities are integrated into its operations and service delivery. Through a series of discussions, document reviews, and validation processes, the COA auditors examined the region’s GAD structures, policies, and accomplishments. They also engaged the GFPS members in evaluating strengths, identifying gaps, and exploring opportunities to further advance gender-responsive governance within DILG XI.
The GAD Audit serves as a mechanism to ensure accountability, transparency, and compliance with the Magna Carta of Women and other gender-related policies. More importantly, it highlights the agency’s commitment to promoting inclusive development by addressing gender issues in both internal operations and external programs.
DILG XI, through its GFPS ExeCom and TWG, expressed its support and readiness to strengthen gender mainstreaming initiatives in response to the audit findings.
Continuing Legal Education for DILG LGOOs in Davao Region Highlights Gender-Responsive Governance
Davao City – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XI conducted its Continuing Legal Education (CLE) for Local Government Operations Officers (LGOOs) on September 4, 2024, at The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, Bo. Obrero, Davao City. The activity brought together LGOOs from across the Davao Region to strengthen their understanding of local governance while integrating gender equality and inclusivity in their professional practice. The sessions featured a rich line-up of topics and resource persons:
Gendering Public Organizations – LGOO VI Erna P. Sumalinab, MPA-PP, emphasized the importance of institutionalizing gender perspectives and applying GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion) frameworks in public service delivery.
Understanding Local Legislation in Governance – Atty. Camille E. Flores, Assistant Division Chief of the Local Government Capacity Development Division (LGCDD), provided an in-depth discussion on the role of legislation in shaping responsive and accountable governance.
Pitfalls in Local Government – Atty. Jay M. Visto and Atty. David Gil A. Morales, both GIPO II from the Office of the Ombudsman for Mindanao, shared insights on common issues and challenges faced by local governments, underscoring the importance of ethical and lawful practices.
Updates on the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) – LGOO VI Maria Ruby B. Batingal, Assistant Division Chief of the Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division (LGMED), presented the latest developments and requirements in the implementation of SGLG, the flagship performance recognition and assessment system of the DILG.
Latest DILG Legal Opinions – Atty. Shaniz Abalorio-Cañete, Officer-in-Charge of the Regional Legal Service Unit (RLSU), discussed updated legal issuances and interpretations relevant to LGUs and LGOOs in their advisory and technical roles.
Beyond legal updates, the CLE highlighted the DILG’s commitment to advancing gender-responsive governance. The integration of gender perspectives and GEDSI applications into the training reflects the agency’s advocacy to ensure that public administration becomes more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the diverse needs of communities. The activity reaffirmed the crucial role of LGOOs in guiding local governments toward good governance practices, while also strengthening their capacity to champion gender equality and inclusivity within their respective areas of assignment.
