By Kenneth Marcos 
Inside a busy government office, employees from across the country gathered online and in person to talk about an issue that affects everyone but is often overlooked—gender sensitivity. For the National Meat Inspection Service, the goal was clear: make sure public services are fair, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all Filipinos.
The National Meat Inspection Service Central Office, together with its Regional Technical Operation Centers, conducted a three-day Gender Sensitivity Training from January 21 to 23, 2026. The activity, known as GST Plus Plus, combined basic gender sensitivity orientation with advanced lessons on gender analysis and Gender and Development planning and budgeting.
The training aimed to strengthen the agency’s understanding of gender issues and improve how these are reflected in its programs, projects, and services. It covered the basics of Gender and Development concepts and focused on practical skills, especially the preparation of the Gender and Development Plan and Budget and the Gender and Development Accomplishment Report.
A key part of the activity was a writeshop designed to help participants develop clear, accurate, and policy-compliant plans and reports. This hands-on approach allowed participants to review their current GAD plans, identify gaps, and make improvements based on national guidelines.
The training was held through a hybrid setup, allowing staff from both central and regional offices to actively participate. This setup ensured wider involvement from NMIS offices nationwide and encouraged sharing of experiences and best practices from different regions.
Participants were guided on how to use the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines Design Assessment Tool. This tool helps government agencies assess whether their programs and activities are gender-responsive. By applying the tool, NMIS staff learned how to better evaluate their projects and ensure that both women and men benefit fairly from government services.
The resource person for the activity was Ms. May Angelica A. Saludez, a Senior GAD Specialist from the Philippine Commission on Women. She provided detailed discussions on proper GAD planning and reporting and explained common mistakes seen in many agencies. She also shared practical strategies to help NMIS strengthen gender mainstreaming across its operations.
Through interactive discussions, workshops, and coaching sessions, participants refined their draft GAD Plans and Budgets and improved their Accomplishment Reports. The sessions encouraged open dialogue and helped participants better understand how gender issues can affect food safety, inspections, and service delivery.
NMIS officials said the training reflects the agency’s commitment to gender-responsive governance. As an agency responsible for ensuring meat safety and protecting public health, NMIS recognizes that inclusive policies lead to better services for consumers, workers, and stakeholders across the meat industry.
Gender-sensitive planning is also seen as an important step toward better decision-making and more efficient use of public funds. By aligning programs with national GAD policies, NMIS aims to deliver services that respond to real needs on the ground.
As the training concluded, participants expressed readiness to apply what they learned in their respective offices. The agency hopes that continued capacity-building efforts will help create a more inclusive workplace and improve the quality of services provided to the public.
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