Bago City, Hinobaan cited as gender responsive LGUs

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The city of Bago and the municipality of Hinoba-an were proclaimed by the Provincial Council for Women as top Gender-Responsive Local Government Units in Negros Occidental.

The LGUs will be honored on Sept 12, 2019 at Nature’s Village in Talisay City during PCW’s mid-year forum.

PCW chairperson Andrea Lizares-Si said Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson will lead the awarding of the top 5 cities and municipalities which participated in the “GeRL Ka Ba?” self- assessment early this year and have been actively participating in PCW activities for the past three years.

Si added that the giving of the PCW awards to LGUs, is part of the 25th year anniversary celebration of Provincial Ordinance No. 54 series of 1994, which established the PCW.

The other top five cities are Sagay, San Carlos, Escalante and Himamaylan, while the top five municipalities include Pontevedra, Ilog, Don Salvador Benedicto and Binalbagan.

According to PCW Adviser and Establishment of Provincial GAD Database consultant Marie June Pavillar-Castro, who coordinated the GeRL Self–Assessment with GAD Focals and Local Government Operation Officers of the Department of Interior and Local Government, all participating LGUs in Negros Occidental scored an overall GeRL rating of between more than 3 to more than 4 or almost 5.

A 3 rating means they had adequate manifestation of gender-responsiveness, a 4 rating means it manifests a systematic approach and moving towards advance stages of being gender-responsive.

A 5 rating means the LGU has institutionalized and comprehensive approach in making the LGU gender-responsive.

The other cities to be awarded for their contribution to the advancement of gender equality and women empowerment are Sipalay, Talisay, Cadiz, Silay, Kabankalan and Victorias.

Municipalities to be recognized include Manapla, Isabela, Moises Padilla, Valladolid, Cauayan, E.B. Magalona and Calatrava.

Incumbent mayors of the LGUs which participated in the GeRL Ka Ba Self-Assessment, and former mayors of top 5 cities and municipalities are invited to attend the Sept. 12 awarding and receive their recognition from PCW.

Aside from Gov. Lacson, newly elected Board Member Rita Gatuslao,  chair of the SP Committee on Women and Gender Relations, and the Mayors of Bago City and Hinoba-an were invited to give messages during the awarding.

Meanwhile, the PCW mid-year forum will include sharing and presentations on topics such as “Huwag ma Investment Scam” with  Atty. Annabelle Corral-Respall, OIC of the Securities and Exchange Office in Bacolod, “Women and Financial Literacy” with Honey Grace Patindol-Catalan of Manulife, and “The Provincial GAD Budget Processes and Accomplishments” with Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator and Provincial GAD Action Officer Dr. Marlin Pellejo-Sanogal and selected Provincial GAD Focal Point Team Members.

Invited GAD Budget proponents to share their accomplishments are the heads of the Negros Occidental Language, Information and Technology Center, Provincial Scholarship Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, and the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program.