The Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) of Davao City has noted various accomplishments stemming from issues raised during the annual women’s summit.
IGDD Head Lorna Mandin said during the I-Speak Media Forum on Thursday that the city successfully implemented programs that helped address women’s concerns raised during women summits starting in 1999.
Mandin said that among the solutions, in answer to the resolutions after the summits, are the deployment of additional social workers in each barangay, putting up of additional day care centers, establishment of child minding centers, hiring of lawyers for Violence Against Women cases, creation of the office for Gender and Development, creation of the office for children, strengthening of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Women provisions, and establishment of shelters.
The guidelines in handling cases involving women were also improved, additional livelihood programs for women were implemented, a sports program for women was created, and assistance for women who are deprived of liberty was delivered. This were done with the help of concerned offices.
Also included in the improvement is the promotion of MR. GAD (Gender and Development).
“There is a long list of resolutions, sa atong nahibal-an, it started in 1999. Karon ika 25th na so daghan na gyud kaayo’g programa (There is a long list of resolutions since [the summits] started in 1999. Now it’s the 25th year and more programs were created),” Mandin said, adding that the summit is a very vibrant and dynamic process where women are educated, empowered, and heard.
She said that after each summit, they create a matrix of the concerns raised and assign it to an office or agency to address it.
“Every now and then magkuha mi og update then sa next women’s summit magreport mi unsa ang nahitabo (Every now and then we get update, and in the next women’s summit we report any changes),” Mandin said.
Mandin said that during the latest women’s summit conducted on March 4, 2025, they found out that economic concerns emerged as the main concern of women, a high demand for additional work opportunities, support products for marketing and marketing area for their products. For political concerns, they also found that there is a demand from the grassroots to be given sessions to help and guide them to select leaders that will promote good governance and someone who prioritizes gender concerns.
The IGDD is a special division created to oversee the full implementation of the Women Development Code of Davao City.
Its office is located at Rm 9, Mezzanine Floor, San Pedro St., City Hall Building, Davao City.
Dabawenyos may email the IGDD at igdd.davao@gmail.com, or call 0939-896-7296, 241-1000 local 205. CIO
