The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), in partnership with the UP System Human Resource Development Office (HRDO), launched the Balangaw: GAD Capacity Building Program as part of the systematic approaches toward gender equity and building institutional capacities on gender and development (GAD) in the UP System Administration (UPSA).

The learning sessions, conducted on 10, 17, 31 March and 7 April 2025, brought together participants from various UPSA offices and units. Resource persons were Asst. Prof. Julie B. Jolo of the Department of English and Comparative Literature, College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman and Daryl Leyesa of the Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK). The workshops introduced GAD frameworks and tools, ensuring that all participants are equipped to incorporate gender-responsive strategies into their daily work, policy development, and institutional planning. As part of this initiative, the participants were also designated as members of the GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) of the UPSA.

The UPCWGS extends its gratitude to Dr. Augustus C. Resurreccion, UP Vice President for Administration, for his support and his commitment to a more inclusive and gender-sensitive UP System community.