THE Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) affirms its sincerity to uphold Gender and Development (GAD) as a governance strategy with the launch of ArisGAD A on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the Ceremonial Hall of the Capitol.
Governor Aris Aumentado reiterated his administration’s objective to serve the Boholanos with the aggressive push for GAD at the Capitol, giving importance to respect for the rights of all towards equality and inclusivity; and instituting a mechanism for prevention of abuse in partnership and collaboration of partners and stakeholders.
The governor, who chairs the Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS), along with Vice Governor Victor Balite, Committee on Women and Family chair Board Member Gloria Gementiza, GFPS Alternate Chair Anne Mariquit Derikito-Oppus signed Executive Order No. 24 series of 2023, creating a Gender and Development Resource Center of the PGBh lodged at the Provincial Human Resource Development Management Office (PHRMDO) and Executive Order No. 21 series of 2023, reconstituting the Committee on Decorum and Investigation of the PGBh.
Aumentado also turned over to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan a copy of the GAD Code which is due for review and amendment this year.
National Government Agency partners, Civil Society Organizations, and PGBH department heads also joined provincial officials in a commitment signing for the fruition of the “ArisGAD A” that encapsulates the PGBh Accountable, Responsive, Inclusive and Sustainable Gender and Development Agenda.
ArisGAD A as an agenda also spells out its objective on the Abatement/Reduction of Gender-Based Violence; Responsive, Updated, Enforced Policies; Institutionalized and Inclusive Advocacy, Information Campaign; Strengthened and Functional Organizational Structures; Sustained Partnership and Collaboration of Stakeholders for Gender Equality and Women Empowerment towards Preventive, Proactive and Proper Response Programs, which sector priorities presented in outputs gathered during the GAD seminar last December.
As part of the program launch, Capitol employees engaged in traditional games and sports events in the afternoon.
Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Handel Lagunay welcomed guests to the ArisGAD A launching activity that also featured presentations from the Bohol Muslim Communities Peace Movement, Bohol Federation of Disabled Persons, Inc., and a Zumba Dance led by the Women and Children Protection Desk of the Bohol Provincial Police Office. (PIMO/LMS).
CODI RECONSTITUTED
THE Provincial Government of Bohol reconstituted its Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) during its ArisGAD A program Launching on May 17, 2023.
Signed by Governor Aris Aumentado, this move is an Amendment to Executive Order No. 55 series of 2022, reconstituting the CODI, a committee tasked to receive sexual harassment and discrimination complaints in the workplace and investigate following a prescribed procedure.
This effort aims to create more awareness for employees on gender sensitivity and eradicate any forms of discrimination in the workplace, not just for heterosexual employees, but also queer-identifying ones, said the Gender and Development Focal Point System Alternate Chair, Dr. Anne Mariquit Derikito-Oppus.
Oppus was one of the guests for the Provincial Information and Media Office’s weekly show, the Capitol Reports on May 19, 2023, where she talked about the Provincial Government’s commitment to fighting against gender and sexual orientation discrimination through the ArisGAD A program.
“Our guesting here (the Capitol Reports) is to let you all know that we are ready,” Oppus said when asked how PGBh will handle gender and sexual orientation discrimination in their offices through ArisGAD A.
She also clarified that the newly-launched program is not only for Women and Queer-identifying employees but also for heterosexual men facing targeted discrimination. Oppus encouraged male employees to break away from traditional gender stereotypes, saying it’s okay to be in touch with their sensitive side in dealing with their emotions.
Oppus added that ArisGAD A also follows the Republic Act No. 11313 or The Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law), which covers all forms of gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) or targeted discrimination committed in public spaces, in schools, communities, and the workplace.
“This is a step in the right direction,” said Bendita Monte, a Biologist from the Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office.
Monte, one of the few LGBT members employed in the Provincial Government, says the CODI reconstitution under ArisGAD A will help LGBT employees in the long run, creating a safe and inclusive space for employees where they feel accepted to express their gender identity or sexual orientation.
“This will help us to be ourselves without fear of discrimination or harassment. We cannot please everyone, but this initiative will help us raise awareness among people regarding gender sensitivity and equality,” Monte added.
Through ArisGAD A, PGBh hopes to create strides in gender equality and achieve a gender-inclusive, tolerant, and discrimination-free Bohol. (PiMO/GMC)
