December 19, 2025, SORSOGON CITY — The Schools Division Office of Sorsogon City has officially marked a banner year for Gender and Development (GAD), moving beyond mere compliance to foster a truly gender-responsive culture. Through a series of strategic capacity-building workshops, digital initiatives, and policy reforms, the division has successfully translated the mandates of the Magna Carta of Women into tangible, daily practice.

A Year of Milestone Achievements

The 2025 roadmap for GAD was defined by consistent, high-impact activities aimed at both systemic reform and grassroots empowerment:

  • Policy & Structural Foundation:
    • GFPS Reconstitution: Formalized through Division Memorandum No. 238, ensuring a strong and legally compliant GAD Focal Point System.
    • HGDG Institutionalization: Mandated the use of the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG) assessment tool for all project approvals, ensuring gender-responsive governance.
    • Audit Readiness: Conducted a GAD Audit Orientation (February 2025) to streamline financial and program compliance.
  • Capacity Building & Advocacy:
    • Leadership Training: Executed the Banyuhay and Angat Lahat Training of Trainers, focusing on self-leadership and gender-responsive education.
    • Gender Sensitivity: Hosted Regional GAD Sensitivity training for School Heads and participated in the Regional Mid-Year GAD Audit to ensure alignment with DepEd Region V standards.
    • Community & Student Engagement: Held “Honoring Her Legacy” during Women’s Month, conducted GAD talks at Abuyog NHS and Mercedes B. Peralta SHS, and facilitated benchmarking visits with the Baao West Central School delegation.
  • Innovation & Monitoring:
    • Digital Launch: Launched the official GAD Page on June 30, 2025, which has already garnered nearly 900 views, signaling transparency and global visibility.
    • Team Building & Review: Conducted the “GAD-dle 2025” Mid-Year Performance Review in July and, finally, the Year-End GAD Performance Review and Planning at Melad Hotel on December 19, 2025, to solidify our roadmap for the future.

A Message of Gratitude and Commitment

As the GAD Focal Person, I stand before you to acknowledge the support that fueled these achievements. While the technical complexities of GAD funds and audit requirements—the persistent fear of Audit Observation Memoranda (AOM)—can be daunting, our 100% fund utilization is a testament to the discipline and rigor of our team.

I extend my deepest gratitude to our Schools Division Superintendent, SDS Gando, whose unwavering commitment to women’s mandates and inclusive leadership provided the bedrock for our initiatives. Thank you to our Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, ASDS Angelou, for your constant administrative guidance and for ensuring our projects remained on track.

Finally, this year’s success belongs to the entire GAD Secretariat. Your tireless efforts behind the scenes are the gears that keep this machine moving. Your dedication, precision, and commitment to ensuring that every centavo and every program we implemented met the highest standards of the commission have been invaluable.

As we look to the year ahead, we carry the lessons of 2025—proof that when we commit to gender equality, we do not just meet a mandate; we build a better, more equitable future for every learner and educator in Sorsogon City.

2026, Here we come!