DSWD Academy Offers Paradigm for PCW to Shape Future GAD Training Institute

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Academy welcomed officials from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) on 4 December 2025 for a benchmarking activity as a paradigm on the establishment of the Gender and Development Training and Research Institute (GAD-TRI). Held at the RSIDG Conference Room, the session aimed to provide institutional models, operational insights, and best practices that may guide PCW in developing a structured, sustained, and scalable mechanism for professionalized GAD capacity development. The PCW delegation was composed of Mr. Kim Harold T. Peji, OIC-Chief GAD Specialist; Mr. Ariel D. Rivera, Senior GAD Specialist; and Ms. Hazeline P. Gerodias, GAD Specialist II. Atty. Justin Caesar Anthony D. Batocabe, Director IV of the DSWD Academy, opened the activity with a Welcome Message, expressing confidence that the engagement would offer PCW meaningful insights for the formulation of the GAD-TRI. He led the discussion on the DSWD Academy’s institutional framework, operations, resources, and partnerships, highlighting the need for strong management support and legislative backing to ensure the effective implementation of the GAD-TRI. He also recommended hosting the initial development of GAD-TRI programs within the DSWD Academy. Members of the DSWD Academy technical staff then presented the Academy’s evolution, milestones, and major accomplishments. Ms. Norilix M. Razalan, Training Specialist IV; Ms. Elladona M. Agor, Social Welfare Officer III; and Mr. Christian Olan R. Dorado, Information Technology Officer II, shared the Academy’s establishment process, partnership strategies, module development, and learning platforms. Also contributed on the insights on program implementation and certification systems were provided by Mr. Jan Paolo M. Leyva, Training Specialist III from the Capacity Building Division, and Ms. Analiza S. Ileto, Project Management Officer III from the Learning Network Development Division. Discussions throughout the session covered key areas, including institutional framework, program design and development, competency and certification standards, resource management, partnerships, and knowledge management for sustainability. Together, these topics illustrated a holistic approach to building institutional capacity and sustaining effective gender and development training initiatives. Facilitated by Ms. Allendale M. De Luna, Training Specialist III, the benchmarking activity was described as productive and insightful, offering PCW practical models and valuable perspectives for the ongoing development of the GAD-TRI. The engagement is expected to significantly support PCW in shaping its institutional mechanisms for GAD capacity building, research, and knowledge sharing.