January 17, 2023 – The Office of Gender Concerns (OGC) organized the year’s first meeting-workshop for the members of the Gender Focal Point System at UPOU. Dr. Melinda dP Bandalaria, Chancellor and Chairperson of GFPS, welcomed the members in the meeting-workshop. Dr. Bandalaria emphasized the importance of integrating gender in the consciousness of the university and in its activities for the entire year. “Kailangan bahagi na ng pagpapaplano at implementation ang GAD and our initiatives should reflect who we are as a university. ” said Chancellor Bandalaria. 

Chancellor Bandalaria gives her opening message to the attendees.

OGC Director Finaflor F. Taylan presented the 2022 GAD accomplishments of the university. She briefly discussed the highlights of the Gender Plan and Budget for 2023. Some of the mentioned items were the following: inclusion of the OGC in the various management committees, implementation of the course review across all UPOU courses, facilitation of more gender-focused research grants among others.

Dr. Finafalor Taylan presents the 2022 GAD accomplishments of UPOU.

Dr. Taylan then facilitated a workshop among the unit heads which will operationalize the Gender Plan for 2023.The GFPS members discussed how units can better collaborate for future GAD initiatives. The group considered how various students and personnel outputs could be further supported or incentivized. Various activities in teaching research, administration, and service were raised by the participants while mechanisms for collaboration and institutionalization were thoroughly discussed.

GFPS Members pose for a photo after the meeting-workshop.

The Gender Focal Point System (GFPS) is established to ensure, advocate, guide, coordinate and monitor the development, implementation, review and updating of GAD plans and GAD-related programs, projects and activities. The Philippine Commission on Women encourages that the GPFS for each government institution meets regularly to discuss gender issues, plans, activities, and organizational mechanisms that will help advance gender mainstreaming and integration in the organizational functions and services.