By Niña Christelle M. Sumintac and Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr.

True to its commitment to strengthen gender and development (GAD), the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has launched an extension program to organize a pool of trainers for gender mainstreaming.  

The program dubbed GAD Orientation and Advocacy Launching (GOAL) was launched in a virtual ceremony last May 6. 

The program is collaboratively spearheaded by the College of Teacher Education (CTE), College of Industrial Technology (CIT), and the MMSU Gender Focal Point System (GFPS). 

Mr. Jareason C. Fabre, CTE faculty and program director, said the university’s pool of gender trainers are expected to develop the five-year GAD roadmap and to deliver gender sensitivity trainings to MMSU administrators and employees. 

Fabre added the GAD roadmap will also be mainstreamed in university policies, plans, and projects, and will also be integrated in university’s curriculum and instruction. 

He further explained the extension program is composed of six projects, namely: gender fair education training; GAD trainers’ training; gender sensitivity training; GAD integration in curriculum and instruction; gender mainstreaming policy conference; and development of GAD resource center. 

Dr. Imelda Najorda, also a CTE faculty and program director, said the extension program will be implemented through blended (online and face-to-face) training workshops that conform to the existing university protocols.  

Project leaders are Dr. Erwin Oamil, Prof. Teresita Pablo, Ms. Niña Christelle Sumintac, Dr. Najorda, Dr. Randymax Bulaquit, and Mr. Fabre, respectively. 

Other program team members are Dr. Rosabel Acosta and Dr. Edna Nagtalon (program coordinators); Ms. Nataliza Llapitan, Eva B. Macugay, and Ms. Bella Gervacio (training needs providers); Prof. Milagros Barruga, Mr. Adrian Dela Cruz, and Ms. Jacquelyn B. Lejano, and Dr. Bert Gamiao (training facilitators); Mr. Jay-ar Cristobal and Mr. Bryan Eli Saddora (technical report writers); Engr. Hazel James P. Agngarayngay, Prof. Weena Franco, Ms. Jhoanna Faye Jacinto, Ms. Eva Jean Viernes, Mr. Francis Clarence Chua, Engr. Abigail Ruiz, Dr. Ma. Constancia Celina Ferraris, Ms. Marites Fernando, and Ms. Leizel Sales (coordination and facilitation); Mr. Regie Boy Fabro (technical staff); Ms. Cecil Anne Morales and Ms. Charmaine Joy Salvador (support staff). Project consultants are University President Shirley C. Agrupis, VP for Planning and Development Ami Ruth R. Cocson, also the GFPS Executive Director, Faculty Association Inc. President Marlina L. Lino, Association of Non-Teaching Administrative Personnel Gerard Ragudo, and CTE Dean Eliza Samson. 

President Agrupis hopes the extension program would redefine the GAD advocacy in the university. She also said the project implementers “are on the right track as you begin to organize and empower our GAD pool of experts.” (StratCom)