Reaffirming its commitment to gender equality, inclusive governance, and transformative leadership, the University of Northern Philippines participated in the Region I Executive Briefing on Gender-Responsive Leadership and Governance on July 23, 2026 at the Puerto de San Juan Beach Resort Hotel in San Juan, La Union.
Representing the University, UNP President Dr. Erwin Cadorna and Atty. Katrynn Louise Eder, Director of the Center for Gender and Development (CGAD), took part in the high-level executive briefing, reinforcing the University’s leadership in advancing gender-responsive governance and institutional excellence. Their participation stressed UNP’s commitment to embed gender and development principles into its policies, programs, and governance systems while promoting an inclusive academic community that champions equality, empowers diverse stakeholders, and contributes to the realization of national and regional gender and development goals.
The briefing featured a series of high-impact keynote presentations from distinguished leaders and experts in gender and governance, equipping participants with strategic insights in advancing inclusive and gender-responsive leadership in institutions.
Setting the tone for the discussions, Mr. Kim Harold Peji, Chief GAD Specialist of the Philippine Commission on Women, delivered his presentation, “Foundations of Leadership in GAD: Building the Pillars of Regional Gender Governance,” highlighting the fundamental principles of gender and development, the evolving role of regional governance mechanisms, and the importance of collaborative leadership in driving sustainable gender equality initiatives.
Complementing these insights, Dr. Teresita Tabaog, Chairperson of the Regional Gender and Development Committee, Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology Ilocos Region, and a member of the National GAD Resource Pool, presented “Gender-Responsive Leadership and Governance,” emphasizing the critical role of transformative leadership in embedding gender responsiveness into institutional policies, decision-making processes, and public service delivery.
Further enriching the session, Philippine Commission on Women Executive Director Ms. Nharleen Santos-Millar delivered an inspiring presentation titled “Mainstreaming for Transformation: From Policy to Practice, from Equality to Empowerment,” emphasizing practical strategies in translating gender-responsive policies into meaningful institutional action and promoting inclusive systems that advance empowerment, accountability, and lasting social transformation. Together, the presentations reinforced the imperative of strengthening gender-responsive governance as a cornerstone of equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development.
A defining highlight of the briefing was the commitment setting for gender mainstreaming, where participating agencies and institutions collectively renewed their pledge to champion gender equality and inclusive governance throughout the Ilocos Region. The activity served as a powerful affirmation of the partners’ shared commitment to embed gender and development principles into institutional policies, strategic plans, and service delivery mechanisms. By reinforcing accountability and collaboration among regional stakeholders, the commitment emphasized the importance of translating gender-responsive frameworks into measurable actions that promote equitable opportunities, empower diverse communities, and cultivate more inclusive and responsive institutions.
The collective pledge further demonstrated the region’s unified determination to sustain transformative initiatives that advance gender equality as a fundamental pillar of good governance and sustainable development.
