The Cagayan Valley Regional Development Council – Regional Gender and Development Committee (RDC2-RGADC) finally convened for a face-to-face meeting on March 18 after more than two years of restrictions on public gatherings brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the declaration of the winners for the first-ever search for O-GAD, Champion! or the Outstanding GAD Champions of Cagayan Valley Award.
Ms. Jhamie Tetz Mateo of the Isabela State University won the award under the individual category (for government sector) while the City Government of Santiago bagged the same under the organization category.
The search for O-GAD, Champion! is envisioned as a regular undertaking of the Committee to recognize the contributions of individuals and organizations in the region to mainstream and institutionalize GAD programs and projects. The recognized outstanding individuals and organizations will serve as inspiration and role models to the rest of the society while raising the awareness and appreciation of the general population on the GAD efforts of the government.
The 2021 Search Committee was Chaired by the Department of Science and Technology and Co-Chaired by the Philippine Information Agency, with several agencies as members, namely, the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Interior Local Government, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Budget and Management, Commission on Human Rights, Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, and Philippine National Police. The award will be conferred during the RDC2 1st Quarter Meeting on 30 March in Gamu, Isabela.
Also discussed during the RDC2-RGADC meeting was the RGADC Work Program for CY 2022, the conduct of RGADC strategic planning workshop in collaboration with the Philippine Council on Women, updates on the implementation of programs, projects, and activities on Violence Against Women and Children in the region, and the status of GAD Plan and Budget endorsements and GAD Accomplishment Report submission. The Committee also passed and approved a resolution on the integration of the Regional Technical Working Group on Women’s Economic Empowerment in the RGADC, and the endorsement of the Regional GAD Research and Learning Center to RDC2 for support.# Adrian Mabatan – PDIPBD