The NEDA Regional Office (NRO) VIII conducted a Gender-Sensitivity Training (GST) and Orientation on Gender-Responsive Development Planning for its staff on April 22-23, 2019 at the NEDA Regional Office VIII, Palo, Leyte.

The two-day training was conducted to enhance the skills of NRO VIII staff in basic development planning, results-based monitoring and evaluation (RbME), and gender-responsive planning in preparation for the mid-term assessment and updating of the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2017-2022. It will help ensure that a gender-responsive approach will be incorporated in the process.

OIC- Regional Director Meylene C. Rosales emphasized in her opening message the need to apply a gender lens during the upcoming updating of the RDP to comply with the law.

Former NRO VIII Assistant Regional Director Emma Sanopo served as the resource person. She stressed the importance of gender-responsive planning in ensuring an effective development plan. She taught the basics of GAD, GAD mainstreaming, and gender analysis.

Aside from the gender-related topics, the training also included an orientation on the guidelines in preparing the updated RDP led by the Policy Formulation and Planning Division (PFPD). The planned lecture on Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation by OIC-ARD Engr. Ernesto T. Octaviano was deferred to a later date because of the occurrence of the Eastern Visayas earthquake on April 23.

Article by Knulp Aseo, NEDA VIII
Photo by Fretzie Basal, NEDA VIII