The Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) underwent an onsite assessment for compliance with the eight (8) Gender and Development (GAD) criteria that, if passed, will qualify it to receive the GAD Seal. The assessment was held last August 15, 2023, at the DILG-NCR Regional Office in Quezon City.

The GAD Seal criteria are: 1) Utilization of GAD Budget, 2) Institutionalization of GAD Focal Point System, 3) GAD Database, 4) Committee on Decorum and Investigation, 5) Breastfeeding and Child-minding Stations, 6) Gad Corner, 7) GAD Technical Assistance, and 8) GAD Best Practices.

The GAD Seal Certification Assessment is conducted by representatives from the GAD National Assessment Committee (GAD NAC), composed of representatives from the GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) of the DILG Central Office. DILG Region 12, which initiated the GAD Seal, also serves as an Advisory body of the Committee. The officials present to assess the DILG-NCR were: Asec. Florida M. Dijan, CESO III, Assistant Secretary for Human Resource and Development, Division Chief Gemma R. Macatangay of the Bureau of Local Government Development (BLGD), DILG Region 12 Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD) Chief Jermie A. Erie-Yeager, and Administrative Officer IV Aprilyn D. Rigor of the DILG Financial and Management Service.

The GAD Seal Certification initially covers DILG Regional Offices and will later be expanded to include all Local Government Units (LGUs) nationwide. The said program has three components – Assessment Criteria and Documentary Requirements, the Scoring System, and the Certification Procedure proper.

In her capacity as Head of the GAD NAC, Asec. Dijan emphasized that the DILG is committed to leading by example when it comes to adhering to government policies, such as the GAD Program. Increasingly, she noted, GAD-related policies, programs, and projects (PPAs) have been incorporated into the governance agenda and have become, in the process, instruments of positive change in furtherance of diversity, gender equality, and inclusion within the government.

DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, welcomed the assessors and remarked that the GAD Seal is key to attracting talent into the government service and establishing an institution’s credentials as an equal opportunity employer, respectful to all sex, gender, and disabilities while enhancing its image and reputation in the eyes of the public.

At the beginning of the assessment, Division Chief Macatangay shed light on the GAD assessment process and the anticipated timeline for the awarding of the GAD Sealed Certification Program. For her part, GAD Focal Person LGOO VI Maria Jasmin Diaz presented an overview of GAD projects and initiatives undertaken by DILG-NCR. The Regional GFPS also gave the assessors a tour of the office’s GAD Hub and Breastfeeding and Child-minding Station.

In closing, DILG-NCR Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn R. Baltazar-Cortez, CESO V, thanked the Committee for the time and effort they devoted to the GAD assessment process for DILG-NCR and also vowed to address all the observations and recommendations the Committee cited.

Atty. Baltazar-Cortez concluded by saying that the DILG-NCR is determined to go beyond what a GAD Seal requires and do more to advance gender equality in the years ahead.