Guinobatan, Albay – March 25–26, 2025

The Department of Education (DepEd) Region V culminated its National Women’s Month celebration with a two-day event that combined capacity building and celebration, held at Charisma Snack House and Catering Services, Guinobatan, Albay.

This year’s celebration adopted the theme, “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas”, which emphasizes the importance of a multi-sectoral approach in advancing women’s rights and welfare. The theme called on government agencies, LGUs, NGOs, CSOs, and other stakeholders to strengthen legal frameworks, improve access to essential services, and create sustainable opportunities for women.

A key highlight of the event was the Workshop on Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF), designed to equip participants with tools and strategies for tracking gender mainstreaming progress in alignment with the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710). The workshop featured the following sessions:

  • Session 1: Overview of the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF)
  • Session 2: Pointers on the Application of GMEF
  • Session 3.1 – 3.4: Discussions on the four GMEF entry points—Policy, People, Enabling Mechanism, and Programs, Projects, and Activities (PAPs)
  • Special Feature: Presentation of the DepEd Region V HGDG Mobile Application, a digital innovation to support gender-responsive program design and evaluation

Capping off the event was the much-anticipated Search for the DepEd Region V GAD Ambassador 2025, where educators from across the region competed not only in talent and poise but in the strength of their advocacies.

Representing SDO Sorsogon City was Mx. Kenneth “Kenny” Gamis, a teacher from Sorsogon National High School, whose advocacy centers on equal employment opportunities for LGBTQIA+ teachers. Mx. Kenny earned recognition for both performance and purpose, bagging the following awards:

  • Sponsorship Award: JML Roofline and Design Ambassador
  • Best in Production Number

Their participation was made possible through the strong support of Principal Armand Engay, the SDO Sorsogon City GAD Focal Point System, and the entire school community.

The event not only celebrated women and gender advocates across Region V but also reaffirmed DepEd’s commitment to a more inclusive, equitable, and empowered education sector for all.