The Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) successfully convened its Second Quarter Meeting for 2025, bringing together the Technical Working Group (TWG) and Secretariat to discuss key accomplishments, identify development opportunities, and chart the course for upcoming GAD initiatives.
A major highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the GAD Accomplishment Report covering the period April to June 2025. The report outlined significant progress in direct GAD-related Programs, Activities, and Projects (PAPs), including the implementation of community-based tourism initiatives and the conduct of the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF) Baselining Assessment for CY 2022–2024.
A key component of the discussion centered on the results of the GMEF assessment. While notable improvements were recorded in policy and PAPs, the assessment also identified areas requiring further strengthening particularly the “People” and “Enabling Mechanism” entry points. In response, the GFPS explored measures to enhance GAD initiatives, including intensified capacity development for personnel, reinforcement of the functionality of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI), establishment of a comprehensive Sex-Disaggregated Data (SDD) database, and refinement of project monitoring frameworks.
The meeting likewise highlighted the continued mainstreaming of GAD in TPB’s Programs, Activities, and Projects (PAPs), citing the positive outcomes of community-based tourism initiatives in the Cordillera Region. Upcoming activities include the conduct of Sex-Disaggregated Data (SDD) Training, a GAD Executive Briefing for the TPB Board of Directors, and a GAD Compliance Workshop in preparation for Calendar Year (CY) 2026. The GFPS also acknowledged the invitation to present TPB’s best practices in GAD mainstreaming at the 5th IPA GAD Forum an affirmation of the agency’s growing recognition in national gender advocacy platforms.
TPB reaffirms its commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment as a vital part of its institutional mandate and operational culture.
KENLORD C. NAVARETTE
Writer / Graphic Design
TPB GAD Specialist
