Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Valley — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 02 proudly announces that Ms. Aileen Gonzales and Ms. Rowena A. Guzman, both Science Research Specialists II, have become part of the historic first batch of the Regional Pool of Gender and Development Resource Persons (RPGRPs) for Cagayan Valley.
Since September 2023, Ms. Gonzales and Ms. Guzman dedicated themselves to rigorous training sessions and workshops conducted by the Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC). Their unwavering commitment led to their certification as RPGRPs during a ceremony held at Batanes State College last June 4, 2024.
This certification empowers Ms. Gonzales, Ms. Guzman, and six other certified RPGRPs to conduct Gender and Development (GAD) training across Cagayan Valley. Their expertise will play a crucial role in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment throughout the region.
The RGADC, the regional counterpart of the National Gender and Development Resource Program (NGRP), actively coordinates gender-related activities across various organizations in the region. It recommends policies to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment to the Regional Development Council and ensures effective coordination of efforts to mainstream GAD principles in regional programs, projects, and activities.
Dr. Virginia G. Bilgera, Chair of the RGADC, hails from DOST Region 2, underscoring the agency’s commitment to GAD initiatives. By empowering individuals like Ms. Gonzales and Ms. Guzman, the RGADC strengthens its capacity to advocate for gender equality and amplify women’s voices in Cagayan Valley’s development plans.