Ms. Annette M. Tobias discussed the overview of the Council’s GAD Program and presented the areas for collaboration with CCC. (Image credit: SERD, DOST-PCAARRD)
As part of its goal to replicate excellence in gender mainstreaming, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) hosted the benchmarking activity of the City College of Calamba (CCC) on August 27, 2024. The activity was held at the DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center (DPITC), Los Baños, Laguna.
Dr. Gerby R. Muya, CCC’s GAD Office Coordinator, led the delegation that sought to learn from DOST-PCAARRD’s Gender and Development (GAD) program. The College recognized DOST-PCAARRD as an entity that is effective in implementing gender mainstreaming within the research and development (R&D) in agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR). The benchmarking activity provided a platform for exchanging knowledge and best practices in developing, implementing, and managing gender-responsive programs and projects. It also assisted CCC in identifying areas for improvement and innovation in its current GAD initiatives.
The program began with Ms. Annette M. Tobias, head of the Gender and Development and Special Projects Unit (GADSPU) under the Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD), introducing the Council’s GAD Program. She highlighted its objectives, accomplishments, strategies, and proposed possible areas for collaborations with CCC.
Dr. Gerby R. Muya (right) presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Ms. Annette M. Tobias (left) as part of the closing program of the benchmarking activity. (Image credit: SERD, DOST-PCAARRD)
This was followed by Dr. Muya’s presentation of CCC’s GAD Program and its current implementation in their agency. She also shared the gender studies that were developed and published under CCC. The discussion then proceeded with inquiries about the application of DOST-PCAARRD’s practices and competencies to enrich CCC’s approaches and with brief evaluations of their gender-related programs and initiatives.
Through the benchmarking activity, DOST-PCAARRD shared valuable insights on gender mainstreaming and at the same time enhanced the capacity of CCC’s GAD advocates. Dr. Muya expressed a strong willingness to collaborate with SERD-PCAARRD in future gender studies. The meeting concluded with reinforced commitment to advancing gender equality and social justice in AANR.
Benchmarking activities are one of the initiatives of the Council’s GAD Program, having been recognized as a model agency for GAD.