The University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) warmly welcomed the Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) Team of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) for a benchmarking activity held on July 14, 2026, at the USeP Obrero Campus, Davao City. The activity aimed to strengthen institutional mechanisms for Gender and Development (GAD) mainstreaming.Dr. Lilibeth A. Cenojas, Officer-in-Charge of the Public Affairs Division, expressed USeP’s appreciation for the opportunity to share its best practices and learn from the delegation, noting that the University has broadened its benchmarking engagements beyond academic institutions to include local government units.

On behalf of the IGaCoS GFPS Team, Ms. Karen Kaye R. Servillon, Assistant City Administrator, shared that the city aims for the full implementation and utilization of the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG) in its planning and budgeting processes in the coming years. In response, USeP presented its established systems and practices for institutionalizing gender mainstreaming across the University. Assoc. Prof. Genesesly R. Tahoy, GAD Director, discussed the USeP GAD Scorecard that uses the HGDG checklist to evaluate and score projects, curriculums, and initiatives. Dr. Leah O. Pelias, GAD Advocate, presented the digital system developed by the USeP GAD Office, which streamlines the implementation, documentation, and evaluation of GAD initiatives.

This benchmarking activity aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 5: Gender Equality and 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

#SDG5 #SDG17