The Mines and Geosciences Bureau conducted the Training-Workshop on the Consolidation and Finalization of the 2024 GAD Accomplishment Report and Pre-Testing of the Interview Schedule/ Survey Questionnaire for the DENR Sectoral Baseline Data Gathering on January 28 to 31, 2025 at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in North Edsa, Quezon City.
The four-day activity was designed to strengthen the capabilities of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Gender and Development Focal Point System, as well as the Program and Project Teams, and personnel from both the MGB Central Office and Regional Offices. The focus was on enhancing their ability to effectively implement gender-responsive programs, projects, and activities.
The key objectives of the activity were as follows:
- Evaluate Progress and Achievements in Gender Mainstreaming: Assess the strides made by the MGB Central Office and Regional Offices in mainstreaming gender within their operations for CY 2024;
- Identify Areas for Improvement: Identify and address gaps in the gender mainstreaming process through a review of the GAD Accomplishment Report and other related documentation required for submission to the Philippine Commission on Women;
- Prepare the 2024 GAD Accomplishment Report: Support the preparation of the MGB’s GAD Accomplishment Report for 2024, ensuring it accurately reflects the agency’s efforts and progress in integrating gender concerns into its work; and
- Conduct Pre-Testing of Mining Interview Schedule/Survey Questionnaire: Carry out a pre-test of the Mining Interview Schedule/Survey Questionnaire to evaluate its readiness for full-scale implementation and baseline data gathering.
The training-workshop comprised the following plenary sessions, learning sessions and workshops:
- Plenary Session 1
Presentation of GAD Accomplishments, Updates, Upcoming Activities, and Challenges of Central and Regional Offices
- Learning Session 1
Philippine Commission on Women Memorandum Circular No. 2024-05: Submission of FY 2024 Gender and Development Accomplishment Report
- Workshop 1
Enhancement and Finalization of FY 2024 Gender and Development Accomplishment Report
This workshop oriented/reoriented the participants on essential elements of and steps in formulation of the GAD AR and finalized MGB 2024 GAD AR with MOVs.
- Workshop 2
Revision of the 2025 GAD Plan and Budget as reviewed by Philippine Commission on Women
This workshop finalized MGB program/project concept notes where Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG) Design elements are integrated.
- Workshop 3
Effective Document Translation
This workshop translated the Mining Sector Interview Schedule from English to Filipino and other major Philippine dialects.
- Learning Session 2
Introduction to the Actual Conduct of Pre-Testing of a Survey Instrument
This session oriented the participants on essential elements of and steps in actual conduct of pre-testing of a survey instrument such as the Mining Sector Interview Schedule.
- Plenary Session 2
Evaluation of Data Gathered during the Pre-Testing Activity
This session assessed the Mining Interview Questionnaire’s readiness and effect revisions for the full implementation and conduct of the baseline data gathering.
The plenary sessions were facilitated by Mr. Don V. Liongson, Independent Gender Specialist, and For. Nolie A. Molina and Ms. Jenet C. Tejada of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau-GAD Focal Point System. As for the learning sessions, they were facilitated by Ms. Diory G. Carr, MGB GAD Focal Person and For. Molina and Ms. Tejada. On the same note, the workshops were facilitated by Mr. Liongson and Ms. Carr.
On the day before the training-workshop drew to a close, the participants went on a plant tour of Republic Cement and Building Materials, Inc. (Teresa Plant) in the Municipality of Teresa, Province of Rizal. It was followed by the field work comprising pre-testing and field validation activity wherein the participants conducted the mining sector interviews with select residents of Barangay Dulumbayan, the host community of the aforementioned plant.
On the whole, the activity served as a critical step in ensuring that gender considerations are fully integrated into MGB’s programs and initiatives, fostering a more inclusive and equitable working environment across all levels of the agency.
