The GAD PLAN & BUDGET Formulation Workshop of the Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur (PGSDS) on March 4-6, 2026, at Go Hotels, Butuan City.  Our appreciation to the esteemed guest speaker, Alexander A. Makinano, PhD, CSEE, Regional Director of Commission on Population and Development (CPD), and concurrent Regional GAD Committee Chairperson (RGADC) delivered his powerful message with sincere commitment as GAD champion and advocate in the Caraga Region 13 during the GAD Plan and Budget opening day-1 with his message, and was quote:   “To uphold the value of gender equality, inclusive and GAD responsive public service but in the end it’s not about compliance, it’s about justice, it’s about dignity, it’s about making the government work for all”.   

On behalf of Gov. Johnny T. Pimentel, GFPS Chairperson, Hon. SP Member Margie G. Garay, Committee Chair on Women, Children, and Family, delivered a welcome message.   Hon. SP Members Antonio C. Azarcon, Committee chair on appropriation, and Vice Chair Hon.  Gines Ricky J. Sayawan, Sr., were also in attendance and have shown their active support to the GAD Plan and Budget 2027 formulation workshop.

The PGSDS Department Heads, Assist. Department Heads and Division Chiefs from 28 offices, eight (8) District Hospital representatives as executive members of the GAD Focal Point Systems (GFPS, with the active support of the GFPS Technical Working Group (TWG), the GAD Review Team from PPDO Management and Staff, and PPDO Secretariat, among others.

Representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Women’s Desk: indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities; the private sector from Tandag Chamber of Commerce; the academe-DepEd Sursur and NEMSU Main Campus; recognized and/or accredited nongovernment organizations (NGOs); and women’s associations as members were in attendance as well.

The three-day GPB training workshop was facilitated among four (4) valuable resource speakers, namely: Mr. Oliver O. Salino, Training Specialist II of the Commission on Human Rights, who is one of the accredited GAD Resource Speakers in the region and considered a National GAD Speaker.   Other resource persons were Ms. Carolina R. Tidalgo, EnP, Assistant PPDC, Ms.  Ma. Lourdes C. Martinez, LGOO VII-Outcome Manager of DILG Provincial Office, and Ms. Elesia D. Salazar, PDO III, GAD Focal Person/Secretariat-Designate.  A total of 80 participants attended the said GAD planning and budgeting workshop.  Kudos to the GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) of the province of Surigao del Sur!  Mabuhay!