22/09/2026
𝐓𝐔𝐏 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫-𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐆𝐅𝐏𝐒 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕 𝐆𝐀𝐃 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
The Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), through its Gender and Development (GAD) Office and GAD Focal Point System (GFPS), conducted the 3rd GAD Focal Point System Annual Assembly and GAD Planning and Budgeting for FY 2027 on September 9–10, 2026, at The Lake Hotel, Tagaytay City, Cavite. Anchored on the theme, “From Commitment to Action: Strengthening Accountability and Gender-Responsive Governance through GAD Planning and Budgeting,” the two-day activity brought together University officials, campus GAD heads and coordinators, GFPS and Technical Working Group members, faculty members, administrative personnel, planning and budget officers, and other key stakeholders from the TUP system.
In the Welcome Remarks of Vice President for Planning, Development and Special Concerns, Dr. Connie C. Aunario, delivered on her behalf by Prof. Janilyn DC Siy, participants were reminded that people remain at the center of Gender and Development and that inclusive excellence requires systems that recognize differing experiences, needs, challenges, and opportunities with fairness and care. Dr. Aunario emphasized that while compliance through plans, reports, budgets, and required activities is necessary, these should serve as instruments for creating meaningful change rather than becoming ends in themselves. She likewise highlighted the recently approved Inclusivity, Diversity, Empowerment, and Advocacy (IDEA) Office, envisioned as an enhanced institutional structure that brings together GAD and broader inclusion concerns, including support for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized or underrepresented sectors.
Delivering the Inspirational Message, Vice President for Research and Extension, Dr. Hasmin Ignacio underscored that gender equality must be translated from institutional commitments into concrete decisions, programs, and resource allocations. She emphasized that GAD is not merely a compliance requirement but an essential component of good governance, calling on participants to look beyond the completion of forms and submission of documents and instead identify actual gender issues, listen to voices that may remain unheard, address barriers to participation, and develop interventions capable of producing lasting change.
Dr. Ignacio further stressed that gender mainstreaming cuts across the University's core functions—instruction and curriculum; research, extension, innovation and production; administration and governance; and support services and partnerships. In particular, she highlighted the role of research in understanding realities and generating evidence-based solutions, and of extension in translating knowledge into programs that directly benefit communities. She reminded participants that accountability requires looking beyond the number of activities conducted toward their quality, relevance, reach, and impact, and that gender mainstreaming is a University-wide responsibility rather than the work of the GAD Office alone.
Serving as the technical resource person was Ms. Josephine Khaleen Moises-Sasuman, who guided the participants through the substantive and technical aspects of GAD planning and budgeting. The seminar-workshop provided opportunities to deepen participants’ understanding of gender concepts and sensitivity, gender analysis, formulation of GAD Programs, Activities and Projects (PAPs), preparation of the FY 2027 GAD Plan and Budget, and application of appropriate assessment tools. Through the presentations, workshops, technical discussions, and collaborative exercises, participants were encouraged to develop plans that are evidence-based, responsive to identified gender issues, and aligned with the University's institutional priorities.
The activity also provided an opportunity to assess the status of the FY 2026 GAD Plan and Budget across the TUP campuses and to identify areas requiring further attention as the University prepares its FY 2027 initiatives. The discussions reinforced the importance of grounding GAD programs in actual gender issues and ensuring that resources are directed toward interventions capable of producing measurable and sustainable outcomes.
On the second day, participants continued the workshop sessions, presentation and refinement of outputs, and other activities designed to strengthen the formulation of the FY 2027 GAD Plan and Budget. The occasion was graced by University President Engr. Reynaldo P. Ramos, Ph.D., En.P., who reinforced the University's commitment to gender-responsive governance. In his message, President Ramos encouraged participants to go beyond viewing GAD initiatives as mere compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements and instead become active advocates of gender equality and inclusivity. He emphasized that genuine commitment to GAD should be reflected not only in plans, budgets, and documented activities, but more importantly in how programs, projects, policies, and everyday institutional practices respond to the actual needs of people. His message challenged the TUP community to transform compliance into meaningful participation and advocacy and to ensure that gender responsiveness becomes part of the University's continuing culture and practice.
Following the technical sessions and workshops facilitated by resource speaker Ms. Moises-Sasuman, representatives from the different colleges presented their respective GAD plans as part of the workshop outputs. The presentations provided an opportunity for participants to demonstrate the application of the concepts and approaches discussed during the sessions, receive inputs for further refinement, and strengthen the alignment of their proposed programs, activities, and projects with identified gender issues and institutional priorities. The activity likewise reinforced the importance of translating gender analysis and planning principles into concrete, responsive, and implementable GAD initiatives.
As the two-day undertaking drew to a close, Dr. Eileen Grace C. Dakiapo, GAD Focal Person and Head of the GAD Office, expressed her appreciation to the resource person, University officials, GFPS and TWG members, GAD coordinators, unit heads, planning and budget officers, and participants for contributing to the success of the activity. Building on the messages and learning gained throughout the workshop, she emphasized that GAD goes beyond conducting activities and allocating budgets; rather, it requires understanding the differing realities, needs, opportunities, and experiences of women and men and meaningfully addressing these through University policies, programs, services, and decision-making processes.
Written By: Angelica B. Harris
