SLSU Ranks 3rd in National Recognition for Client-Focused GAD Budget and Expenditure

Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) secured the 3rd spot among State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) with the Highest Client-Focused Gender and Development (GAD) Budget and Expenditure during the first-ever Recognition of 2024 Top Performing Agencies in the GAD Budget, held on September 25, 2025, at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Quezon City.

The event, organized by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), recognized government agencies that have demonstrated excellence in GAD budget allocation and utilization for FY 2024, highlighting innovative initiatives and best practices that advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. It also underscored the government’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and the effective mainstreaming of gender-responsive programs, while providing a platform to share insights, foster collaboration, and inspire agencies to scale up impactful GAD initiatives for sustainable and inclusive development.

The award recognized SLSU as one of the leading universities in the country in effectively allocating and utilizing its 2024 GAD Budget to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. This milestone underscores the university’s strong commitment to inclusive development and the promotion of equitable opportunities for all sectors.

The program featured welcome remarks from PCW Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla, who reminded agencies of their responsibility to ensure that the GAD budget is used with integrity:

“Carry with you the sacred responsibility of ensuring that every peso of this budget reaches those who need it most, untouched by corruption, undeterred by obstacles, and undiminished by indifference. Let it remain a lifeline for empowerment, equality, and integrity. Let it remain free from corruption, so that every peso reaches women, men, children, LGBTQI+ persons, and all sectors who most deserve protection, dignity, and genuine empowerment.”

Highlighting best practices and innovations in GAD implementation, interventions were delivered by representatives of the Top 3 performing agencies:

• Asec. Janet P. Armas, Assistant Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
• Dr. Juan Alfonso R. Perez IV, Division Chief, Health Planning Division, Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau, Department of Health (DOH)
• Usec. Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Undersecretary for Administration and Chairperson of the GFPS Executive Committee, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

The event concluded with closing remarks from Atty. Richard Palpal-Latoc, Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), emphasizing the shared responsibility of institutions in advancing equality and social justice through gender-responsive governance.

Representing the university during the recognition were Ms. Shyn Luege Villaflores, the newly designated GAD Head, together with Ms. Jona Mae C. Espere, former GAD Head, whose contributions paved the way for SLSU’s strengthened initiatives in gender and development.

This recognition further cements SLSU’s position as a proactive advocate of gender and development, aligning with its mission to foster an inclusive and empowering academic environment while contributing to the country’s commitments to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5: Gender Equality).