Davao City got the 2nd Place Award in Sustainable Development Goals-Local Government Unit Category for its women empowerment program.
The award was given by the Regional Development Council XI and the National Economic Development Authority XI during a virtual culmination of the 2022 Davao Region SDG Fiesta last August 30, 2022.
The city was cited “for exhibiting exemplary implementation and adopting best practices for the realization of the Filipino’s collective aspirations towards Sustainable Development Goals, and serving as an example on demonstrating the country’s steadfast commitment to this end”.
Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) head Lorna Mandin on Friday said the city’s entry for this award is the Mag-Negosyo ‘Ta Day Program, which falls under SDG Goal No. 5- Achieve gender quality and empower all women and girls.
“We submitted the Magnegosyo Ta’ Day program. It is a project geared towards improving the lives of women,’ Mandin said.
Mandin said documents that show the status of the MTD’s program since its establishment in 2009 were submitted to NEDA XI and RDC XI.
The program in itself has been implemented through the City Cooperative and Development Office, the City Veterinarian’s Office, the City Agriculturist Office (CAgrO) and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
“Naka-sentro sa babae kay daghan wala’y trabaho, daghan wala na renew and duna pud panginahanglan nga ma-provide ang panginabuhian (It is centered on women because there are many who have no job, who were not renewed and those who need livelihood),” Mandin said.
Since its establishment in 2009, a total of 5,231 women have benefitted from the program, with 4,213 beneficiaries for financial assistance to livelihood for women; 950 beneficiaries for Cash Loan and rice retailing for Women; and 68 beneficiaries for Livestock Livelihood for Women.
Mandin said that IGDD remains a referral office so that women may be eligible for the program.
“Focus pa gihapon ang kanang process improvement how else can we improve the project to reach more women, kadto pang mga deprived kadto pang mga vulnerable poor women. (We are now focusing on the process of improving, on how else can we improve the project to reach more women, those who are deprived and those who are really vulnerable poor women),” Mandin said.
Consultative meetings are conducted to obtain recommendations that adjust to the needs of women in Davao City. CIO
