The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) launched the GADtimpala 2013 (GAD Transformation and Institutionalization through Mainstreaming of Programs, Advocacies, Linkages and Actions): “Search for the Most Outstanding Gender-Responsive Government Agency” on the celebration of Women’s Month this March 2014. The objective of the said award is to recognize the outstanding achievement and/or performance of government agencies including State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and GOCCs in upholding the rights of women and for effective implementation of gender-responsive programs with the following criteria:
1.Has developed and implemented gender-responsive programs to address Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) and Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA); and national laws on women such as Magna Carta for Women (MCW).
2.Has submitted GAD Plan and Budget (GPB) and Accomplishment Report (AR) to PCW for the last 3 consecutive years (2011, 2012 & 2013).
3.Has functional GAD Focal Point System
4.Has utilized gender analysis tools e.g. Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Framework (GEWEF), and Harmonious Gender Development Goal (HGDG) in the assessment of the progress of its gender mainstreaming and the gender-responsiveness of the agency.
5.Has conducted basic GAD competency training for agency officials and staff.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) through the support of Secretary Rogelio L. Singson and the DPWH-Committee on Gender and Development (COGAD) headed by Assistant Secretary Maria Catalina E. Cabral, Ph.D, Chairperson, joined the said search and was one of the top 4 agencies recognized and awarded a Special Citation Award by the PCW at the Diamond Hotel, Manila during the Women’s Consultative Conference.
The awards at stake are Gold Award (1st Place), Silver Award (2nd Place) and Bronze Award (3rd Place). However, no entries/agencies were qualified for the Gold and Silver Awards based on the criteria set by the PCW. After thorough evaluation and deliberation by the Commission, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) received a Bronze Award while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) received a Special Citation Award. There were 15 shortlisted entries.
