17/12/2025
๐๐๐๐ || ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐๐-๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐๐จ๐ ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ ๐
๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ง ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ
The Provincial Government of Northern Samar formally concluded the annual 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women with the recognition of barangays and GAD focal persons outstanding in their implementation of gender and development initiatives.
Atty. Efren Sabong, Provincial Administrator, welcomed the delegation from the different barangays, municipal officials, Gender and Development (GAD) focal persons, partners, and advocates who have consistently worked to advance gender equality, protect women and promote safe and inclusive communities across the province.
Meanwhile, DILG Provincial Director Geraldine C. Maquelabit, keynote speaker, highlighted the vital role of LGUs in institutionalizing gender-responsive governance and ensuring that GAD mechanisms remain functional, inclusive, and impactful.
The major highlight of the event was the Awarding and Recognition, beginning with the Search for Excellent BLGU GAD Implementor 2025. The award recognizes Barangay Local Government Units with exemplary GAD implementation, assessed through the effectiveness of GAD plan and budget, fund utilization, functionality of GAD focal point system, responsive VAWC desks and other innovative initiatives.
Named as Excellent BLGU GAD Implementers 2025:
โข 1st Place โ Barangay Little Venice, Laoang
โข 2nd Place โ Barangay Daganas, Catarman
โข 3rd Place โ Barangay 6 Poblacion, Pambujan
Consolation Prize Winners:
โข Barangay Libas, Lavezares
โข Barangay Nenita, Mondragon
โข Barangay Macagtas, Catarman
โข Barangay 2 Poblacion, Pambujan
โข Barangay 8 Poblacion, Pambujan
The program also recognized individual excellence through the Search for 2025 Gawad Outstanding Municipal GAD Focal Person (MangGAD), honoring municipal focal persons who demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication in mainstreaming gender and development in their respective LGUs.
Outstanding Municipal GAD Focal Persons 2025:
โข 1st Place โ Ms. Sarah Irnicka D. Cardenas, MGAD FP, Catarman
โข 2nd Place โ Ms. Cornelieta S. Labasbas, MGAD FP, San Isidro
โข 3rd Place โ Ms. Nelia A. Gonzales, MGAD FP, Lope De Vega
Participating BLGUs, Local Chief Executives and MGAD FPs were also recognized for their valuable contribution to the promotion of the Provincial Governmentโs gender and development objectives.
The Provincial Government of Northern Samar through the PGAD Technical Working Group spearheaded the event, with the support of the provincial leadership of Governor Harris Ongchuan, partner agencies, Sangguniang Panlalawigan represented by SP Committee on Women and Family Relations Vice Chair Leonida Laodenio.
The culminating program served not only as a celebration of excellence but also as a renewed call to action towards a VAW-free, gender-responsive, and empowered Northern Samar.
Congratulations to all the awardees and partners in gender and development!
