CEZA Enhances Gender Equality for a More Inclusive Workplace

Dr. Perla Tumaliuan, CEZA Deputy Administrator for Support Services and GFPS Member, delivered a message during this year’s 18-Day Campaign to End VAWC kickoff. She reassured CEZA personnel that the management, led by Administrator/CEO and GFPS Chairperson Sec. Katrina Ponce Enrile, along with GFPS Vice-Chairperson Atty. Marichelle De Guzman, is committed to supporting policies and regulations that protect women and children. She also reminded everyone to stop the abuse and choose love.

Gender issues such as inequality, discrimination, stereotyping, sexual harassment, and other misogynistic practices continue to affect both the Philippines and the world. Recognizing the detrimental impact these issues have on workplace culture and productivity, the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) is committed to addressing these concerns, creating a conducive environment for both the CEZA workplace and the broader Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP) community.

CEZA’s gender and development (GAD) policy aligns with Republic Act No. 9710, or the Magna Carta of Women, which promotes participation, empowerment, equity, sustainability, a violence-free environment, and respect for self-determination and self-actualization. CEZA’s goal is to foster gender equality by empowering women, promoting equal opportunities, and ensuring access to resources and development outcomes. For years, gender mainstreaming has been incorporated into CEZA’s systems, structures, policies, and programs, eliminating discrimination at every level.

To ensure the effective implementation and monitoring of GAD programs, CEZA established the GAD Committee, known as the GAD Focal Point System (GFPS). Reconstituted in August 2024, the committee strengthens the organization’s ability to mainstream gender across all activities. The GFPS ensures CEZA meets the standards set by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) as outlined in PCW Memorandum Order No. 2011-01. This team is responsible for overseeing GAD-related initiatives, implementing measures to reinforce the GAD Monitoring and Evaluation System, and facilitating GAD planning, budgeting, and project implementation.

The CEZA GFPS convenes regularly to discuss various matters related to their functions.

Regular GFPS meetings, such as the ones held on September 10 and November 25, 2024, focus on addressing gender issues, planning for GAD activities, and ensuring that CEZA’s programs and budget meet gender-responsive standards. These discussions help CEZA design programs that align with gender equality goals and enhance women’s empowerment within the organization and the community.

To further build capacity, CEZA also organizes training for GFPS members and other officials on gender mainstreaming. The most recent training was held on November 20, 2024, featuring a Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines Workshop (HGDG) facilitated by Mr. Mac Paul Alariao, a certified member of the PCW National GAD Resource Pool from DSWD Field Office II in Tuguegarao City.

CEZA also supports national GAD advocacy campaigns that raise awareness of various gender-related issues and promote social change. A significant campaign CEZA has supported annually since 2018 is the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), observed from November 25 to December 12. This initiative strengthens CEZA personnel’s awareness of VAW and other forms of discrimination, ensuring the organization’s continuous commitment to these causes.

Through these efforts, CEZA continues to implement gender mainstreaming initiatives that support gender equality and women’s empowerment, not only within the CSEZFP but across the Philippines.

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