Institutionalizing Gender Mainstreaming. The reorganization establishes a functional mechanism to catalyze gender mainstreaming within the LGU’s policies, programs, and processes. As mandated by Section 36 of the MCW and clarified in the PCW-DILG-DBM-NEDA Joint Memorandum Circular 2024-01, the GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) is essential to eliminate gender discrimination in local governance systems.

The new GFPS Structure under the new Executive Order, the GFPS is structured to ensure high-level decision-making and technical proficiency:

• Executive Committee: Chaired by Mayor Ballesteros herself, the committee includes the Sangguniang Bayan Chairs on Women, Children and Family (Hon. Nonelona T. Lim) and Finance (Hon. Dakila A. Alim), alongside key department heads. Recognizing the importance of multi-sectoral participation, the committee also includes representatives from the academe (PSDS North and South Districts), the PNP Women’s Desk, the PWD sector, and Civil Society Organizations representing farmers and women.

• Technical Working Group (TWG): To execute the technical aspects of planning and budgeting, Mr. Cris Anthony S. Alzado (HRMO II) has been designated as the Chair of the TWG. He is supported by key officials including the Municipal Treasurer, MSWDO, Municipal Health Officer, Budget Officer, and representatives from the MPDO and MDRRMO.

• Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Team: To ensure accountability and measure the effectiveness of GAD programs, a dedicated M&E Team was created, also chaired by Mr. Alzado, with members from the MPDO, HRMO, Budget Office, and the CSO women’s representative.

Key Mandates and Functions. The reorganized GFPS is tasked with spearheading the preparation of the annual LGU GAD Plan and Budget (GPB), ensuring that at least 5% of the total municipal budget is allocated to address gender issues.

According to Section 2 of EO No. 13, the body is also responsible for:

1. Mainstreaming Gender Perspectives: Integrating GAD into all department policies, plans, and programs.

2. Policy Formulation: Assisting in the formulation of the local GAD Code.

3. Data Management: Setting up mechanisms for the generation and review of sex-disaggregated data (SDD).

Capacity Development: Ensuring that LGU personnel, including finance officers, are capacitated on GAD-related laws and tools.

Commitment to Action By strengthening the GFPS, the Municipality of Claveria aims to transform into a fully gender-responsive LGU where basic services—from health and agriculture to infrastructure and social protection—are accessible and sensitive to the distinct needs of all Claverianos.

The GFPS is scheduled to meet at least once every quarter to review the progress of gender mainstreaming activities and ensure the judicious utilization of the GAD budget.