USeP Gender and Development

[𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐘 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃] 𝐔𝐒𝐞𝐏 𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐆𝐀𝐃 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭: 𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

The University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) is setting the stage for a historic gathering of gender advocates as it prepares to host the 2025 GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) Summit for all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Region XI this coming November 25–26, 2025 at USeP Obrero.

In a spirit of collaboration and purpose, the USeP GFPS team, led by Director Genesesly R. Tahoy, Dr. Eden Stephanie B. Bolido, Dr. Leonila M. Fajardo, and Asst. Prof. Hernan G. Pacatacang, met with the RGAN XI officials on September 12, 2025 at the GAD Building of Davao del Norte State College (DNSC), Panabo City. The coordination meeting showcased USeP’s initial preparations and affirmed the shared vision of making the upcoming summit a transformative event for the region.

With the summit on the horizon, USeP embraces the challenge and honor of being the host, carrying the torch of inclusivity, empowerment, and shared responsibility. More than an event, the 2025 GAD Summit is envisioned to become a milestone in the journey toward a more equitable academic community.

[𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐘 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃] 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐒𝐞𝐏: 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲.

The Gender and Development (GAD) Office of the University of Southeastern Philippines, led by its Director, Assoc. Prof. Genesesly R. Tahoy, together with the GAD Office staff, met with the esteemed officials of the USeP School of Law on September 9, 2025, to advance the Healthy Learning Institution Framework.

Represented by Dean Atty. Arlene M. Cosape, Atty. Jesus A. Villardo III, Atty. Imma Coney P. Olayan, and Atty. Marian C. Castillo-Pasia, the School of Law forged a stronger collaboration with the GAD Office and Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS).

This partnership resulted in a joint commitment to finalize the USeP Anti-Gender-Based Violence Policy within the current semester (First Semester SY 2025-2026), with valuable support from the Department of Health.

[𝐈𝐂𝐘𝐌𝐈] 𝐔𝐒𝐞𝐏-𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐓 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐀𝐃 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

On August 6, 2025, the University of Southeastern Philippines - College of Teacher Education and Technology (CTET) integrated Gender and Development (GAD) into its Strategic Planning Sessions for SY 2025–2026, held on August 6-7, 2025, at the FTC Hall, USeP Tagum-Mabini Campus, Tagum Unit.

The two-day activity brought together faculty and staff to align academic, research, and extension priorities while integrating GAD principles into its directions.

The first day opened with plenary discussions on planning essentials and institutional updates, setting the tone for a collaborative exchange among faculty and staff. In the afternoon, the spotlight turned to GAD integration. Dr. Leonila M. Fajardo delivered a session on the Basic Principles of GAD, highlighting its role in fostering inclusive teaching and professional practices. This was followed by Assoc. Prof. Genesesly R. Tahoy, GAD Director, who presented the USeP GAD Agenda 2025–2030, providing participants with a clear framework to align their initiatives with the University’s long-term vision for a gender- responsive academic environment.

Adding depth to the session, Dr. Ruby A. Serrano presented the Gender-Responsive Syllabus Framework, which prompted meaningful exchanges among the participants. Her discussion guided faculty to critically assess course syllabi, ensuring that inclusivity, sensitivity, and equity are systematically integrated into academic instruction. Faculty and academic leaders’ engagement during the session reflected a strong commitment to rethinking teaching strategies and institutional outputs in ways that are responsive to diverse learner needs.

Through these meaningful exchanges, CTET strengthened its commitment to advancing gender-responsive education, ensuring that its academic, research, and extension initiatives remain inclusive, future-oriented, and aligned with USeP’s mission of fostering transformative and equitable learning.

[𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐘 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃] 𝐔𝐒𝐞𝐏 𝐆𝐀𝐃 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫-𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

The USeP Gender and Development (GAD) Office moved a step further in its research initiatives with the conduct of the GAD Research Studies Proposal Evaluation on August 29, 2025, at the TLE Building, Obrero Campus, gathering faculty-researchers and GAD Advocates in a collaborative effort to advance gender-responsive research within the University.

Faculty-researchers brought forward their studies, sharing valuable insights into gender and development within the University:
•“𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲” a proposed study to be led by Dr. Ruby A. Serrano from the College of Education (CEd);
• “𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗚𝗔𝗗)- 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮” a proposed study to be led by Dr. Leah O. Pelias from the College of Information and Computing;
• “𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝗦𝗲𝗣 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀: 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺” a proposed study to be led by Dr. Maria Lila Y. Chaonui from CEd, together with Dr. Noelyn D. Bahian from the Malabog Extension Campus;
• “𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗜𝗻𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆” a proposed study to be led by Dr. Mildin J. Retutas from the College of Teacher Education and Technology (CTET) ;
• “𝗣𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗔𝗗 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲” a proposed study to be led by Assoc. Prof. Virginia Barbara P. Nillas from CTET; and
• “𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗭𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗽: 𝗔 𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗵-𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻” a proposed study to be led by Dr. Rushdee M. Cubian from the College of Technology.

Guiding the discussion were insightful critiques and recommendations from the Panel Reactors, Assoc. Prof. Sajed S. Ingilan, faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Assoc. Prof. Sadie D. Law-ay, GAD Director of Davao del Norte State College (DNSC), who provided comprehensive feedback to enhance the proposals’ clarity, relevance, and gender-responsiveness, ensuring their alignment with the USeP GAD Agenda 2025–2030. Their exchange with the proponents brought valuable perspectives, enabling researchers to refine their proposals in ways that strengthened academic quality and enriched gender-responsive studies, contributing to the University’s inclusive development goals. Complementing this process, Mr. Michael B. Dodongan of CTET, also serving as panel reactor, contributed a detailed paper review that further reinforced research quality and the integration of gender perspectives.

Closing the session, the proposals advanced to the next stages of approval and implementation, marking another step in the University’s commitment, through the GAD Office, to advancing research that nurtures an inclusive and gender-sensitive academic environment.