Gender congress held

SAN JOSE, Antique – The municipal government here, in partnership with the Antique Human Development Program, held the 3rd Gender and Development (GAD) Congress recently with the theme “Gender and Development Mainstreaming in Local Governance.”

The congress oriented local Gender and Development Councils with gender principles, concepts and mainstreaming strategies.

It also instilled to the GAD Council members their roles and responsibility as stipulated in the approved Municipal Gender and Development Code.

The congress also discussed the allowable allocations under the GAD budget, and consequently, the formulation of a GAD plan and budget proposal for local government units.

The congress was participated by barangay officials (punong barangays and kagawads in charge of the Committee on Social Services) as well as municipal officials and employees of San Jose de Buenavista.

Sangguniang Bayan member and Acting Municipal Mayor Elmer Untaran stressed the premium that the present administration is giving to champion gender and development.

He also pointed out the accomplishment of the municipal government to mainstream gender and development in local governance.

Among the achievements as far as gender and development is concerned is the passing of Municipal Ordinance No. 2009-02 (the Gender and Development Code of San Jose de Buienavista).

The code provides for the promotion of equal rights in the provision of services, protection of the vulnerable sectors of the community and creation.

The same code also reinforces the need to appropriate the GAD budget for the planning and implementation of related project.

The code itself is above and beyond the continuing services for social welfare, health, protection from gender based violence and livelihood programs that the LGU oath to provide for the alleviation of the lives of its constituents. (PIA/PN)