The Provincial Gender and Development Focal Point System (PGFPS) brought together GAD focal persons, technical working group members, and stakeholders from various cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental for the “Because Women Count” Conference, focusing on the use of gender-related data to strengthen programs and services for women and communities.
Held at the Capitol Social Hall, the conference aimed to strengthen GAD planning and implementation by equipping participants with knowledge and tools to use data in identifying community needs, addressing gaps, and developing more responsive programs and services.
Governor Bong Lacson joined the meeting and reaffirmed the Provincial Government’s commitment to inclusive and responsive governance, recognizing women as active contributors and leaders in development, rather than mere beneficiaries.
Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Members Rita Gatuslao, chairperson of the SP Committee on Women and Family, and Laurence Marxlen Dela Cruz, chairperson of the SP Committee on Finance and Budget, and Ways and Means, also attended the activity and expressed their support for strengthening GAD programs and ensuring that these initiatives respond to the needs of various sectors of communities.
The discussion focused on sharing GAD-related data covering health, social services, sectoral concerns, education and training, livelihood, leadership and women’s participation, agricultural concerns, and migrant workers’ issues, among others.
In his message, Lacson emphasized that achieving true gender equality requires the government to go beyond numbers and use data to identify community needs and gaps.
“Data must serve as a basis for policies and programs that address these needs and deliver appropriate services.”
The governor stressed that data must serve as a basis for policies and programs that address these needs and deliver appropriate services.
“Numbers, by themselves, are not enough. What matters is how we use the information they give us,” he said, urging participants to remain flexible and adjust programs when existing approaches no longer produce the desired results.
“Bring the conference’s lessons back to your respective LGUs and offices and turn plans into meaningful services for the people.”
Lacson encouraged them to bring the conference’s lessons back to their respective LGUs and offices and turn plans into meaningful services for the people.
He commended PGFPS Action Officer Marie June Castro for facilitating the program and for her efforts in advancing the implementation of GAD programs and initiatives in the province.
Lacson also commended the GAD focal persons and coordinators for their often unseen but important work.
