SIMC Gender And Development

25/08/2025

GAD Regular Meeting

The Southern Isabela Medical Center-Gender and Development Focal Point System (SIMC-GFPS) conducted its GAD Regular Meeting last August 14, 2025, at the GAD Office, 2nd Floor, Private Ward. The meeting started at 9:30 AM.

The GFPS-Technical Working Group Chairperson, Ms. Rodelita A. Cabanizas (Assistant Chief Nurse) called to order, and Dr. Anastacia C. Cacacho presided over the committee meeting, with the following Agenda;
(1)Orientation on GAD Basic Concepts on August 28-29, 2025
(2)Preparation for GFPS Functionality Assessment (GFAST)
(3)Status of GAD Committee
(4)Drafting of GAD Plan and Budget for 2026
(5)Other Matters

14/08/2025

16 Years of Empowering the Filipino Women!
GADvocates, sama-sama nating ipagdiwang ang 16 taon ng patuloy na pagsusulong ng karapatan ng kababaihang Pilipino.

Makiisa sa pagdiriwang!

14/08/2025

Ngayong ika-14 ng Agosto, ating ipagdiwang ang pagpapatibay ng Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710).

Labing-anim na taon ng pagkilala sa lakas, karapatan, at tinig ng bawat Juana.
Labing-anim na taon ng matapang na paglaban sa kawalan ng katarungan, diskriminasyon, at paglabag sa karapatan ng kababaihan.
Labing-anim na taon ng pagsusulong ng pag-unlad, at pagbibigay oportunidad sa bawat Pilipina.

Mula noon hanggang ngayon, at sa darating pang mga taon, magkakapit-bisig tayong hahakbang tungo sa tunay na pagkakapantay-pantay ng kasarian at ganap na pagtupad sa karapatan ng kababaihan sa Pilipinas.

Maligayang ika-16 na anibersaryo ng ating Magna Carta, mga ka-alaGAD!

Ngayong ika-14 ng Agosto, ating ipagdiwang ang pagpapatibay ng Magna Carta of Women o Republic Act 9710.

Labing-anim na taon ng pagkilala sa lakas, karapatan, at tinig ng bawat Juana.

Labing-anim na taon ng matapang na paglaban sa kawalan ng katarungan, diskriminasyon, at paglabag sa karapatan ng kababaihan.

Labing-anim na taon ng pagsusulong ng pag-unlad, at pagbibigay oportunidad sa bawat Pilipina.

Mula noon hanggang ngayon, at sa darating pang mga taon, magkakapit-bisig tayong hahakbang tungo sa tunay na pagkakapantay-pantay ng kasarian at ganap na pagtupad sa karapatan ng kababaihan sa Pilipinas.

Maligayang ika-16 na anibersaryo ng ating Magna Carta, mga ka-alaGAD! 💜

06/08/2025

HAKAB 'TA 2025 at SIMC! - In celebration of Breastfeeding Awareness Month, Southern Isabela Medical Center (SIMC) - Mother- Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Committee proudly participated in HAKAB 'TA 2025: One Latch, One Love, One Nation – Feed with Love, held today at the SIMC OPD and OB-Gyne Ward, in cooperation with the Philippine Pediatric Society and the Santiago City Medical Society. This meaningful event brought together over 28 mothers who simultaneously breastfed their babies — a powerful act of unity in advocating for exclusive breastfeeding, maternal empowerment, and optimal child health.

Worldwide, exclusive breastfeeding has the potential to save more than half a million children's lives every year. The event also emphasized the importance of proper complementary feeding to ensure the healthy growth and development of infants and young children.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated healthcare workers, empowered mothers, and all the advocates who made this event a success. Together, let us continue to support, protect, and promote breastfeeding — anytime, anywhere.

04/08/2025

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒 || FLAG CEREMONY (08-04-2025)

Today’s Flag Ceremony highlighted a heartwarming day with the launching of National Hospital Week with the theme: “ Hospital: A Healthy Workplace for all sa Bagong Pilipinas”.

The launching highlighted with a photo opportunity representing the different divisions of SIMC.

SIMC employees are also invited to attend the Healthy Workplace Booth exposition which will be held on August 7-8, 2025, SIMC Tower A 1st floor and 2nd floor, 9am-4pm.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated chemotherapy treatment chairs, bringing hope and comfort to patients. Members shared inspiring speeches, followed by a special recognition of Usec. Glenn Mathew G. Baggao, for their unwavering support.

Lastly, Dr. Butch Garcia delivered his inspirational message reminding SIMC employees to practice good governance around the hospital.

28/07/2025

Ang human trafficking o trafficking in persons ay isang ilegal na gawain at itinuturing na paglabag sa karapatang pantao. Maituturing na trafficking in persons ang isang sitwasyon kung makikitaan ito ng mga sumusunod na tatlong (3) magkakaugnay na elemento: Akto (Acts), Pamamaraan (Means), at Layunin (Purpose)

Kung makasaksi o maging biktima ng alin man sa mga nabanggit, magsumbong at tumawag sa 1343 Actionline o sa mga kinauukulan.

Sa Bagong Pilipinas, walang lalaban mag-isa, lahat sama-sama! Iisang Nasyon, Iisang Aksyon. Tapusin ang Human Trafficking Ngayon!

28/07/2025

This three-day retooling seminar was designed to provide officers, members, and program implementers at Southern Isabela Medical Center's Gender and Development Focal Point System (SIMC-GFPS) with an overview of various gender analysis tools, gender mainstreaming techniques, and the application of Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG). The purpose of this retooling exercise was to increase participants' understanding of the fundamentals and significance of gender mainstreaming. This involved going over fundamental ideas related to gender and development, gender analysis, and the various tools used in gender mainstreaming. Additionally, participants learned how to use the HGDG checklist, specifically the checklist for project identification and design, evaluated their projects using the HGDG Design Checklists, and comprehended the requirements of the HGDG Design Checklists that should be included in project design.

Atty. Mylen B. Gonzales-Esquivel, J.D., RSW, highlighted in her discussion of the HGDG that it was a guideline and assessment tool for determining how gender-responsive the activities, projects, and programs of every unit or area were and if the program promoted equality and women's empowerment in purpose, outcome, and output. By adhering to the HGDG, these rules offered a framework for incorporating gender perspectives into programming at every level from planning to evaluation and Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF). The Gender Analysis Tool was another crucial resource for mainstreaming gender issues and problems in development efforts. The Gender Analysis Tool allowed organizations to evaluate how gender responsiveness affected decision-making procedures, resource access, and overall program implementation. It also assisted participants or program implementers in recognizing and comprehending the distinct roles, requirements, and restrictions of women and men.

28/07/2025

Atty. Mylen B. Gonzales-Esquivel, J.D., RSW, expertly facilitated both Session 1 and Session 2 of the two-day training program on Gender and Development (GAD), which aimed to build institutional capacity and promote a deeper understanding of gender equity and inclusivity among SIMC personnel.

On the first day of the training session titled "Upscaling of Knowledge in GAD," Atty. Esquivel gave participants a thorough overview of key GAD concepts, policies, and frameworks. The session highlighted the historical and legal foundations of GAD in the Philippines, including international commitments like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act 9710), and related government issuances. Participants discussed gender roles, stereotypes, and how institutional bias affects policy development and service delivery. The session aimed to increase awareness of systemic gender issues and emphasize the responsibility of institutions to proactively address gender disparities.

The second session, entitled Toward a Gender-Fair Society: Using Gender-Fair Language and Images, was discussed on the second day, focusing on the practical application of gender sensitivity in communication. Atty. Esquivel emphasized the role of language and imagery in either reinforcing or challenging traditional gender norms. Participants were introduced to examples of gender-biased language and visual representations commonly found in institutional documents, advertisements, and official communication, and were provided with alternatives that promote respect, inclusivity, and equality. The session underscored the importance of deliberate and conscious use of gender-fair language as a tool for fostering a more inclusive organizational culture.

Following the two sessions, participants engaged in a writing workshop (write shop) designed to apply the knowledge and skills gained. During this activity, teams collaborated to revise sample documents and communication materials to reflect gender-fair language and visual standards. The workshop also initiated the drafting of a local policy that institutionalizes the use of gender-fair language and images across all SIMC documents, internal and external communications, and operational guidelines.

This two-day training cm write shop not only equipped participants with the necessary knowledge and tools but also marked a significant step toward integrating GAD principles into SIMC’s institutional culture and practices. It demonstrated SIMC’s continued commitment to promoting gender equality, aligning with national policies on gender mainstreaming, and contributing to the broader goal of building a gender-fair society.

19/06/2025

PCW PRESS RELEASE | 𝗣𝗛 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟮𝟬, 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆

The Philippines has surged back into the top 20 globally, climbing five places to rank 20th out of 148 countries on the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 2025 Global Gender Gap Report, released in June 2025. With an overall gender parity score of 78.1 percent—a 0.2-point improvement from 77.9 percent in 2024—the nation reasserts its leadership as Asia’s most gender‑equal country, and ranks third in the East Asia and the Pacific region, behind New Zealand and Australia.

“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴—𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘤𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘭 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴—𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘍𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴,” said Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla. “𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯—𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘦, 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.”

Read the full press release here: https://pcw.gov.ph/ph-reclaims-spot-in-global-top-20-remains-asias-leader-in-gender-equality/

16/06/2025

🌈 It's Allied Pride Day Friday 🌈

Thank you for joining in our Celebration of Pride Month by wearing your colorful shirts! Your vibrant support made our Pride Month celebration even more special.

Let's continue to stand together in love, equality, and inclusivity. 🏳️‍🌈💖