Ten Local Government Units (LGUs) from the Special Geographic Area (SGA) and Maguindanao del Sur showcased their Gender Mainstreaming Milestones during the BABAE-Gender and Development (GAD) Forum: Supporting Peace and Development through GAD Budget in LGU Plans, held in Midsayap, Cotabato, on July 14, 2016, highlighting how strategic investments in Gender and Development have transformed local governance and improved the lives of their constituents.
The forum, organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) under the UNFPA-BABAE Project and the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), served as a platform for participating LGUs to present their good practices in GAD mainstreaming, Gender and Development Planning and Budgeting (GPB), Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response through an interactive Gallery Walk.
The ten participating Local Government Units included Pahamuddin, Nabalawag, Kadayangan, Malidegao, Ligawasan, Tugunan, Kapalawan, and Old Kaabakan from the Special Geographic Area (SGA), as well as the municipalities of Datu Montawal and Pagalungan from Maguindanao del Sur. During the Gallery Walk, each LGU showcased its Gender Mainstreaming Milestones, demonstrating how Gender and Development investments have been translated into responsive programs, policies, and services that address the needs of women, children, families, and other vulnerable sectors in their respective communities.
In his keynote message, Mr. Arnaud Peral commended the Bangsamoro Government and participating local government units for advancing gender-responsive governance. He emphasized that women’s leadership is indispensable to sustaining peace and described gender equality as a catalyst for achieving broader development goals. He also reaffirmed the United Nations’ continued commitment to supporting the Bangsamoro peace and development agenda.
“Women are way beyond just victims of conflict; they are the architects of peace and sustainable peace. And, gender equality is the main accelerator to reach any kind of goal that we try to achieve as a society,” he emphasized.
Despite the many challenges experienced by communities across the Bangsamoro, Mr. Peral lauded the LGUs for remaining responsive and innovative in implementing programs that promote gender equality, protect vulnerable sectors, and strengthen community resilience.
Whereas Ms. Romina Sta. Ana underscored in her message that the forum marks the beginning not the end of a collective effort to strengthen local government accountability and ensure that Gender and Development (GAD) plans respond to the actual needs of Bangsamoro communities. She highlighted UNFPA’s commitment to supporting local governments in translating gender-responsive policies into concrete actions that promote peace, health, and inclusive development.
“Local is global. When local governments function well, the communities benefit more, and that clearly shows the message: peace and development go together,” she stated.
Echoing this commitment, Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) Deputy Minister Eddie Alih highlighted the significant investments made by the participating LGUs through their Gender and Development Plans and Budgets. He noted that the combined allocation of more than ₱21 million across the ten LGUs demonstrates that Gender and Development is steadily becoming an institutional priority within local governance.
Deputy Minister Alih emphasized that while individual milestones may appear modest, they collectively represent meaningful progress toward building more inclusive, responsive, and gender-sensitive local governments.
“Do not look at these milestones as small accomplishments. They are reflections of Local Government Units that are responsive to the needs of their people and committed to implementing Gender and Development programs that create real impact in their communities,” he emphasized.
Looking ahead, Deputy Minister Alih challenged the participating LGUs to sustain and further strengthen the gains they have achieved, reminding them that Gender and Development is a continuing commitment that requires consistent leadership, adequate investment, and strong collaboration among stakeholders.
The forum concluded with a Commitment Session, where the participating Local Government Units reaffirmed their pledge to continue institutionalizing Gender and Development in their respective municipalities. The LGUs collectively committed to sustaining their initiatives, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that no one is left behind as they strive to become models of gender-responsive governance in the Bangsamoro Region.
In his closing remarks, Guiamel M. Alim, Chairperson of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), emphasized that the commitments expressed during the forum should not remain declarations but be translated into concrete actions.
He stressed that, as a civil society organization, CBCS will continue to monitor and support the implementation of the commitments made by the participating LGUs, ensuring that the promises made during the forum are fulfilled.
Alim further underscored that achieving a stronger and more progressive Bangsamoro requires collective action and shared responsibility among government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, and local communities.
The BABAE-GAD Forum reaffirmed the shared commitment of CBCS, UNFPA, MILG, partner institutions, and local governments to advancing gender equality as a cornerstone of peacebuilding, inclusive governance, and sustainable development in the Bangsamoro.
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