NAMRIA Administrator, Usec. Peter N. Tiangco, PhD approved the request of San Lazaro Hospital (SLH)-Public Health Unit (PHU) Head and Gender and Development (GAD) Committee Chairperson Christllie T. Tan for a resource person on gender concepts for the first day of their two-day Gender Sensitivity Training (GST). This writer, NAMRIA GAD Focal Point System (NGFPS)-Technical Working Group (TWG) on Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Assistant Focal Person (AFP), served as the resource person.

 

With participants from SLH's various departments, the daylong training was held at the amphitheater of the SLH amphitheater building, Quiricada St., Manila on 19 July 2023. The activity was jointly organized by the SLH-PHU and San Lazaro Hospital Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (SLHEMC), with the approval and support of SLH Medical Center Chief II, Dr. Edmundo B. Lopez and SLH-Professional Education, Training, and Development Office Chief Training Officer, Dr. Benjamin D. Estrella, Jr. This writer was accompanied by NGFPS Secretariat Head Focal Person (HFP) Jeanevie T. Habitan and NGWPS-TWG on IEC member Erwin D. Famatiga, who both documented the activity.

 

The training started with an invocation and the singing of the Philippine national anthem. It was immediately followed by the respective welcome remarks of SLHEMC GAD Committee Chairperson Tirso L. Villacarlos and Ms. Tan. Both expressed gratitude to the NGFPS for its support of their activity.

 

This writer talked about various gender concepts using the module produced by the Civil Service Institute of the Civil Service Commission. The module has five parts, namely: Introduction, Sex and Gender, MaSaLi (Magulang, Salinlahi, at Lipunan), Manifestations of Gender Bias, and Ritwal. Under the Sex and Gender part, this writer gave a comprehensive discussion of the stages and institutions that contribute to various gender issues.

 

At the end of the training day, this writer, Mr. Famatiga, and Ms. Habitan received certificates and tokens of appreciation from SLHEMC Board of Directors Vice Chairperson and Education and Training Committee Chairperson, Dr. Edna A. Miranda, together with Ms. Tan and Mr. Villacarlos.

 

SLHEMC Chairperson, Doctor Miranda closed the event, on behalf of Dr. Ruel O. Teaño. She thanked everyone who made it successful and also took the opportunity to invite and encourage the participants to be members of their cooperative. Ms. Abigail S. Vitan was the event host and facilitator. All photos used in this article were taken by Mr. Famatiga.