April 7, 2025 – The Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) reinforced its commitment to gender equality and inclusivity through “ASCOT Project Brigada: Bringing GAD Alive,” a three-day seminar held from April 2 to 4, 2025, at the Bazal Convention Hall. The seminar-workshop focused on crafting ASCOT’s 6-Year Gender and Development (GAD) Agenda to guide gender-responsive policies and programs.

The event was led by Ms. Amparo Roberta A. Espinosa, Director of the ASCOT Gender and Development Office, whose leadership was recently commended by the Commission on Audit (COA) for the outstanding performance and compliance of the GAD Office.

Opening the event, Ms. Malou C. Angara, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and former GAD Director, delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of Dr. Ma Luz F. Cabatan, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “This is not just an exchange of ideas, but a collective support of everyone’s advocacy,” Angara stated, emphasizing the importance of unity in achieving GAD goals.

Engr. Oscar C. Barawid Jr. Ph.D., Vice President of Administration, Planning and Finance, in his Opening Remarks, emphasized the importance of fostering a respectful and equitable environment, stating, “Respect for women and the elimination of gender bias must be at the heart of every institution—and that begins with a well-grounded GAD Agenda.”

The seminar’s comprehensive discussion was led by resource speaker Ms. Arlene Idioma Pascual, a National GAD Trainer and Director of the GAD Center at Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU). A member of the Philippine Commission on Women – National GAD Resource Pool (PCW-NGRP), Ms. Pascual guided the participants through the detailed steps of GAD Agenda formulation, including:

• Steps 1-2: Organizing the Planning Team, reviewing ASCOT’s Strategic Plan, and analyzing current GFAST and GMEF scores

• Steps 3-4: Setting ASCOT’s GAD Vision and Mission, and formulating institutional GAD Goals

• Step 5: Prioritizing Gender Issues and ensuring compliance with national GAD mandates

• Steps 6-7: Outlining GAD outcomes, indicators, baseline data, targets, and programs/projects/activities aligned with the identified goals

• Operationalization: Discussion on implementation, monitoring, and evaluation strategies, and proper reporting to the PCW

ASCOT President Dr. Renato G. Reyes graced the second day of the seminar and personally expressed his support for the initiative, stating, “Our commitment to gender equality begins with a clear vision—and it starts here, with all of us working together.” He commended the collective efforts of the GAD Office and all unit heads present.

The event was attended by Office and Unit Heads across ASCOT, showing a strong institutional commitment to advancing gender equality in all aspects of governance and education.

Dr. Ma Luz F. Cabatan, in her Closing Remarks, lauded the collaborative efforts of the GAD Office and the participants. She emphasized the importance of translating the GAD Agenda into actionable plans that truly address gender issues and promote an inclusive academic environment. “Let this Agenda be more than a plan—let it be a promise to build an inclusive and empowered ASCOT community,” she affirmed.