The Gender and Development (GAD) Technical Working Group of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) spearheaded the conduct of Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG) Seminar Workshop last 27 and 29 September 2022 at the NDCP Honor Hall, Camp Aguinaldo, with participants from NDCP’s Research and Special Studies Division (RSSD) and Academic Affairs Division (AAD).

Ms. Lorena T. Yunque, an Independent Consultant from the National Gender Resource Program of the Philippine Commission on Women, discussed the foundational concepts and the legal frameworks underlying GAD. She highlighted the current social problems and misconceptions on sex, gender, and how HGDG will further strengthen gender mainstreaming in NDCP’s academic and research programs.

HGDG is a tool used to monitor and evaluate the programs and projects undertaken by the Philippine government in order to be gender responsive. Under the Republic Act 7192 or the Magna Carta of Women, the Philippine government departments, agencies, and bureaus are mandated to allocate five (5) percent of their annual fiscal budget for gender responsive formulation and implementation of programs and projects.

In the inspirational message of Lieutenant General Ferdinand Cartujano PAF (Ret), President of the NDCP, he emphasized that as an advocate of GAD and women’s rights, his stewardship of the College will put premium on the promotion of equality between men and women through gender responsive project development cycles. President Cartujano also underscored that he would give high priority to the programs and projects that would enhance the knowledge, capacities, and skills of men and women employees of NDCP.