TIM eMagazine Vol. 1 Issue 8 | Page 10

Maritime NMP Gender and Pinoy Seafarers T o raise employees’ level of awareness and responsiveness on gender issues confronting the maritime industry, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), an attached agency of the DOLE, conducted a Seminar-Workshop on Gender Concepts and Gender Analysis Tools last October at the Sophia’s Way, Leyte Park Hotel, Tacloban City. NMP Executive Director Manuel C. Roldan said the workshop enabled the participants to understand gender concepts with emphasis on the promotion of awareness on gender concerns affecting the NMP employees, including their families, as well as the NMP clients. “Our officials and employees were also oriented on the use of gender analysis tools, which include the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF) and Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG), to ensure that NMP’s programs and projects are gender responsive,” Roldan said. He added that the activity also enabled participants to identify substantial gender issues focused on NMP’s clients–the Filipino seafarers and the agency itself; coming up with a proposal to address the identified issues; and drafting of the NMP’s GAD Plan for 20172019. Serving as resource person in the workshop was Ms. Ma. Purisima E. Sanopo, a former Assistant Regional Director of the National Economic Development Authority in Regional Office No. VIII, and expert on gender sensi- 10 tivity, gender-based analysis, and gender-responsive development planning and budgeting. Atty. Ruben Y. Maceda, NMP Officer In-Charge and head of the Administrative, Financial and Management Division, said the workshop enabled them to comprehend the complexities of GAD, after recognizing the need to take a serious look at gender issues. “We found out that some gender issues are more complicated than what we know. We were at a loss before this training. Now, we know how to spend our budget for GAD-related programs. We are very thankful to Ms. Sanopo for sharing with us her expertise,” Atty. Maceda said. In response, Ms. Sanopo expressed hope towards application of what had been learned from the workshop. “I am impressed with the group for being true in expressing their opinions. I hope that the insights gained from this seminar will also be applied in their personal lives,” Sanopo said. Republic Act 9710, or the Magna Carta of Women (MCW); Republic Act 7192, or the Women in Development and Nation Building Act; and Executive Order No. 273, or the Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development (PPGRD) 1995 to 2025, institutionalize GAD efforts in the government sector through mainstreaming gender dimensions into plans, programs and activities toward women empowerment, gender equality and gender equity.