DOST IV-A Gender and Development Unit

23/06/2026

𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓-𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐙𝐎𝐍 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐚𝐲! 👷‍♀️🔧

Commemorated every June 23rd, the International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) celebrates the work and achievements of women engineers and highlights career opportunities in the field to encourage the youth to pursue engineering. This year, INWED focuses on the theme, “Engineering Intelligence”, which aims to spotlight the kinds of intelligence women engineers possess– human intelligence, design intelligence, safety intelligence, and organizational intelligence– and how their work contributes to creating the same kind of engineering intelligence for future generations.

Despite progress, women in engineering are still underrepresented. Latest data from the STEM Leadership Alliance revealed that in the Philippines, 36% of STEM graduates in the Philippines are women, and only 46.2% of Filipina STEM graduates are employed in STEM-related fields. INWED exists to address this disparity globally and give more women a platform to use their skills in what is typically considered a male-dominated field.

In line with this, DOST-CALABARZON is proudly represented by brilliant women in engineering, who continue to prove that excellence, grit, and innovation is not defined or hindered by one’s gender.

So, this INWED, let us recognize the hard work and contributions of women in engineering, let the younger generation know that their talent and skills in the field are always needed, and continue to create spaces for women engineers to thrive 💜







Sources:

International Women’s Day. (n.d.) International Women in Engineering Day celebrates the talent of women engineers.
https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Missions/15543/International-Women-in-Engineering-Day-celebrates-the-talent-of-women-engineers

Aguas, D., Mendoza, C. , Monasterio, I., (n.d.)
Celebrating every young girl's skills, capabilities, and dreams in STEM. STEM Leadership Alliance. https://www.stemleadershipalliance.org/stem-young-women

Women’s Engineering Society. (n.d.) International Women in Engineering Day. https://www.inwed.org.uk/

21/06/2026

To every Ama/Tatay/Itay/Tay who stayed resilient through the challenges of providing for the family,

To every Daddy/Dad/Dy who helped their kids find life’s answers in fun and creative ways,

To every Papa/Pa who strived to set a good example to the youth and fellow men,

And to every father and father-at-heart whose strength and love made a lasting impact on somebody else’s growth,

𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘭 𝘯𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘭 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯 𝘬𝘢𝘺𝘰 🥰
𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑭𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝑫𝒂𝒚! 💌💐

15/06/2026

𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐙𝐎𝐍 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐌𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡! 💙

Aligning itself with the month that celebrates Father’s Day, Men’s Health Month (MHM) is commemorated every June to educate and raise awareness on issues regarding and men’s health across lifespans. Today, June 15th, also marks the start of Men’s Health Week.

This year, MHM focuses on the theme: “Partners in Care: Advancing Men’s Health Through Connection, Education, & Advocacy Across the Lifespan — for Better Lifespans”. It emphasizes that men’s health is not experienced in isolation. Their behaviors, access to care, and long-term health outcomes are shaped by their relationships with partners, families, friends, and communities. Therefore, care should be treated as a partnership between men and the people they are connected to.

MHM also sheds light on the issue that men die earlier from preventable diseases and fatal injuries, all due to negligence of one’s health and wellbeing. Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority supports this, showing that there were more male deaths (56.6%) than female deaths (43.3%) in 2025, where the leading causes of death were from heart diseases, cancer, and stroke.

Because care is a two-way-street, MHM calls to action that men’s care partners– their families, caregivers, friends, and community– extend physical, mental, and social support through empathetic connection, education, and advocacy. This way, men live longer, healthier lives not only for themselves but for those connected to them.

DOST-CALABARZON extends the same kind of care by promoting food safety trainings to prevent diseases, and the proper handling of equipment for product processing to prevent injuries. Our employees are also provided access to resources that support and improve their physical and mental health. These ensure that men remain safe and healthy, so that they may be able to return to their families and continue to serve their community for longer.

Let us continue to extend care to the men in our lives, and let them know they are not alone in their struggles. When everybody regardless of gender is included in the circle of care, we move towards a more empowered, inclusive, and sustainable nation 🙌









Sources:

Men’s Health Network. (2026). 2026 Men’s Health Month.https://menshealthmonth.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mens-Health-Month-2026-toolkit-compress.pdf

Philippine Statistics Authority. (2026, May 26). Birth, Marriage, and Death Statistics for 2025. https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/vital-statistics/node/1684083526

01/06/2026

25/05/2026

Improved GAD Help Desk launched as a lactation facility for DOST-CALABARZON employees

The Department of Science and Technology–CALABARZON (DOST-CALABARZON) officially launched the improved Gender and Development (GAD) Multipurpose Help Desk on May 25, 2026, at the DOST-CALABARZON Regional Office, retrofitted into a dedicated lactation facility for lactating employees and visitors.

The initiative supports the implementation of Republic Act No. 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 and Executive Order No. 51, also known as The Philippine Milk Code, which promotes and protects breastfeeding practices in workplaces by providing safe, healthful, and supportive environments for working mothers.

The facility aims to provide a safe, private, and accessible space for lactating mothers within the office, including employees and visiting clients who may need an area to express milk during working hours. The initiative also reflects the agency’s continuing commitment to promoting gender-responsive and family-friendly workplace policies and support mechanisms.

As a member of the E.O. 51 Task Force in CALABARZON, DOST-CALABARZON continues to support the enforcement and advocacy efforts of the Philippine Milk Code in the region. The launch of the improved facility also forms part of the agency’s preparation toward applying for recognition as a Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace under the accreditation program of the Department of Health (DOH).

Highlighting the importance of creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace, DOST-CALABARZON GAD Focal Person, Ms. Vera Karuna C. Sudaprasert, emphasized that the initiative strengthens the agency’s commitment to gender mainstreaming and employee welfare.

“Having a lactation facility in DOST-CALABARZON strengthens our commitment to gender mainstreaming and creating an inclusive agency for both our visitors and employees. It allows lactating parents to have a designated space where they can comfortably and safely perform reproductive tasks without sacrificing their productivity in the workplace,” Ms. Sudaprasert said.

For more S&T-related updates, follow DOST CALABARZON

17/05/2026

Today, May 17th, marks the 22nd observance of the 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙖𝙮 𝘼𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝙃𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙥𝙝𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙖, 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙝𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙖, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙞𝙥𝙝𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙖 (𝙄𝘿𝘼𝙃𝙊𝘽𝙄𝙏). This year, the IDAHOBIT focuses on the theme: “𝘈𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘺”, which serves as a reminder that truly democratic societies must be grounded in justice and freedom for all.

DOST CALABARZON continues to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community in challenging all forms of discrimination and prejudice, and in creating a safe space for others regardless of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) 🌈

Together, let us learn about the IDAHOBIT, why it matters, and what we can do to support our LGBTQIA+ friends towards justice, freedom, and empowerment! 🙌

15/05/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

In 1992, the United Nations General Assembly decided on a resolution that May 15 of every year should be observed as The International Day of Families. This was to emphasize including the role of the family in the development process, raise awareness on issues relating to families, and increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.

This year’s celebration of the International Day of Families focuses on the theme: “Families, Inequalities, and Child Wellbeing”. It underscores how widening inequalities such as income insecurity, limited caregiving support, and unequal access to essential services shape family life and influence children’s futures. These inequalities put young children at greater risk of poverty, which also has a lasting effect on their health, education, and overall wellbeing. This year’s theme also calls for a stronger investment in integrated, family-oriented policies to reduce these inequalities and support child development.

To contribute to reducing inequalities that affect young children and families, DOST CALABARZON continues to extend livelihood opportunities through programs like SETUP and CEST. These programs provide MSMES and communities (and therefore, families) with grants, technological assistance, trainings, and consultations to build capacities and increase economic development. These programs ensure that families have access to sustainable means of income that also allow them greater access to resources to ensure that their children live healthy and comfortable lives.

When we strive for development, let us not forget to include families in the process. As the most basic unit of society, let us celebrate and support their role in creating a more prosperous, inclusive, sustainable nation 💗

10/05/2026

To every Nanay/Nay who braved the challenges that came with home life and raising your own,

To every Mommy/Mhie who gave answers to their children’s every “Why?”, and “How?”,

To every Mama/Ma who strived to set a good example to the younger generation,

And to every mother and mother-at-heart whose guidance and love made a lasting impact on somebody else’s growth,

𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘭 𝘯𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘭 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯 𝘬𝘢𝘺𝘰 🥰 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲! 💝💐