To address Gender and Development (GAD) issues and concerns, focal persons and coordinators from the region and the division along with DepEd Regional Director, Dr. Isabelita M. Borres, came up with resolutions that could address gender matters in basic education.

Part of the GAD Framework in DepEd RO IX is the development of learning materials specifically in the areas of Science; Araling Panlipunan (ArPan); Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE); Music,P.E. and Health (MAPEH); and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (EsP) that would integrate gender and development concepts in the lessons.

Meanwhile, reproduction of learning materials will be distributed and utilized in the 2,208 elementary schools and 394 secondary schools in the region.  Another need to be addressed is the lack of research on gender issues that continue to beset the department. Concerns on Child Protection; Disaster Risk Reduction Management; Inclusive Education; Drug Education; Reproductive Health; and Responsible Parenthood are the major research agenda to be conducted. Said last three issues were also mentioned as part of the advocacy of President Rodrigo Duterte during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, 2016.

DepEd programs, activities and projects (PAPs) are geared towards promoting gender responsive governance and compliant with the requirements of Section 34 of General Appropriations Act for CY 2015 (Republic Act 10651) and the DBM/NEDA/PCW Joint Circular No. 2012-01 which states that “at least five percent (5%) of the total agency budget appropriation authorized under the annual GAA shall correspond to activities supporting GAD plans and programs.”