HERSTORY. One of the best practices of Pangasinan State University Lingayen Campus is its steadfast commitment in sharing the backbones of gender equality and women empowerment thru its thrust programs and projects not just among the members of the institution, but even extending it to the whole community.
This practice becomes a continuous vow in the bloodline of Gender and Development Unit headed by Dr. Presley V. de Vera, by conducting series of activities to strengthen the shared advocacies.
As confirmation, a webinar on Magna Carta of Women (MCW), otherwise known as Republic Act 9710, was conducted on March 5 (Friday) to orient the participants on the provisions of the said law and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.
The MCW is a comprehensive human rights law that promotes women empowerment, calls for equal opportunities for women and men, and ensures equal access to resources and to development results and outcome in the Philippines.
According to Atty. Judie Rose T. Dimayuga who served as the resource speaker for the said webinar, it is very important to introduce RA 9710 to influence the members of the society to be catalysts for change towards gender equality and women empowerment.
“This is essentially our bible when it comes to gender development and to women’s rights,” said by Atty. Dimayuga.
It is important to note, as discussed by the resource speaker, that MCW serves as a legal framework that recognizes women’s role in nation-building, and promotes fairness between women and men.
Aside from the herstory and significance of RA 9710, Atty. Dimayuga also shared the salient features of the law which include non-discriminatory and non-derogatory portrayal of women in media and film; equal status given to women and men on the titling of land; protection of women from violence; comprehensive health services and health information and education; protection among girl children; among others.
Moreover, she added that the law also mandates all government offices, including government-owned and controlled corporations and local government units to adopt gender mainstreaming as a strategy for implementing the law and attaining its objectives.
“The cost of implementing GAD programs shall be the agency’s GAD budget which shall be at least five percent of the agency’s total budget appropriation,” said by Atty. Dimayuga who is also a certified member of the National Gender Resource Pool and Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).
Given this basis on the Magna Carta, the GAD Unit is continuous to be unstoppable in providing discussions and activities for the benefit of the PSU Community.
“In the case of PSU, may mga programa kayo na GAD-responsive upang macomply niyo ang nirerequire ng Magna Carta,” said by the speaker in support with the activities of PSU-LC GAD Unit.
Aside from being an active advocate of GAD, Atty. Dimayuga is currently the Director II (Legislative Staff Chief) of House of Representatives, 2nd District, Misamis Occidental. /mmpd