Mandaluyong Gender and Development

22/07/2026

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: Today, the Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System (GFPS), Mandaluyong City Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (MCCAT-VAWC), and the Local Council of Women (LCW) successfully convened for their 3rd Quarterly Meeting to discuss key updates, address concerns raised by participating offices and representatives, and strengthen the implementation of gender-responsive programs and initiatives across the City.

The meeting served as a collaborative platform to review ongoing programs, share accomplishments, discuss emerging concerns, and align strategies that further promote inclusive governance and responsive public service delivery.

Led by Ms. Pinky C. Umali, City GAD Focal Person and Head of the Mandaluyong City GAD Department, together with Ms. Roxana M. Adricula, Head of the Technical Working Group of the GAD Focal Point System, the meeting reinforced inter-agency coordination and strengthened the commitment of all member offices in advancing gender equality, protecting the rights of women, and promoting the welfare of every Mandaleño.

With the continued support of the Office of the Mayor, Office of the Vice Mayor, and the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the City Government of Mandaluyong remains steadfast in fostering an equitable, inclusive, and gender-responsive community for all.

10/07/2026

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: As part of the continuous development of the City Government of Mandaluyong's Right to Care Program, the Gender and Development (GAD) Department, headed by Ms. Pinky Umali, in coordination with the City Information and Communications Technology Department (CICTD) and with the continued support of the Office of the Mayor, Office of the Vice Mayor, and the Sangguniang Panlungsod, conducted a series of meetings to advance the program's digital systems.

On July 2, 2026, the CICTD formally presented the draft Right to Care Program System, showcasing the proposed digital platform that will streamline the application, verification, and records management processes of the program.

On July 7, 2026, the CICTD also presented the Right to Care Card ID System at the GAD Office, highlighting the proposed design and digital features of the official Right to Care Card to ensure a secure, efficient, and user-friendly identification system for future cardholders.

These collaborative efforts demonstrate the City Government of Mandaluyong's commitment to developing innovative, accessible, and inclusive public services that uphold equality, protect fundamental human rights, and promote equitable access to health care for all Mandaleños.

08/07/2026

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: Today, July 8, 2026, the City Government of Mandaluyong, through the Gender and Development (GAD) Department headed by 𝐌𝐬. 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐲 𝐔𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢, conducted the Right to Care Program Consultation Meeting with selected couples to gather valuable insights and first-hand experiences that will help shape the implementation of the City's proposed Right to Care Program.

The consultation served as a platform to better understand the realities and challenges encountered by LGBTQIA+ individuals and common-law partners in accessing health care services and participating in health care decision-making. Participants also shared their recommendations on the proposed program, application process, and the development of the Mandatory Orientation Video to ensure that it effectively addresses the needs and concerns of future applicants.

With the continued support of the Office of the Mayor, Office of the Vice Mayor, and the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the City Government of Mandaluyong remains steadfast in developing policies and programs that uphold equality, protect fundamental human rights, and promote accessible and inclusive health care for all Mandaleños.

02/07/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞 𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐬! 💜

On behalf of the Gender and Development Department, we extend our warmest birthday greetings to a remarkable leader whose compassion, strength, and unwavering commitment to inclusive governance continue to inspire every Mandaleño.

Through your visionary leadership, countless lives have been uplifted, and opportunities have been created for every member of our community to thrive with dignity and respect.

Thank you for being a true champion of equality and for leading with empathy, integrity, and a genuine heart for public service. Your dedication reminds us that real leadership is measured not only by achievements but by the lives touched and transformed along the way.

As you celebrate another year of life, may God continue to bless you with good health, overflowing joy, renewed strength, and wisdom as you continue to serve the people of Mandaluyong with purpose and compassion.

From your Gender and Development Department, we wish you a truly joyful birthday and many more years of meaningful leadership.

Happy Birthday, Mayor Menchie Abalos! May your light continue to inspire, empower, and lead us toward a more inclusive Mandaluyong. 💜✨

27/06/2026

🎥 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 | Through the Gender and Development (GAD) Department, the City Government of Mandaluyong successfully conducted the Mandaluyong Pride Summit 2026, a celebration of equality, inclusion, and every individual’s right to be their authentic self. 🌈

Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. We do not own the rights to this music. All credits belong to the original creator/owner.

24/06/2026

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: Today, June 24, 2026, the City Government of Mandaluyong, through the Gender and Development (GAD) Department headed by 𝐌𝐬. 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐲 𝐔𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢 and in partnership with the Mandaluyong Rainbow Tigers, successfully conducted the 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 at Ciara’s Events Place.

The summit brought together members of the LGBTQIA+ community, advocates, government agencies, healthcare professionals, legal practitioners, and community leaders for a day of learning, empowerment, and meaningful dialogue aimed at advancing equality, inclusion, and respect for diversity.

Featured speakers during the summit included 𝐌𝐬. 𝐌𝐚. 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐒. 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐳, 𝐑𝐒𝐖, Social Welfare Officer II from the CSWD Department, who discussed the programs and services of the City Protection Center for Women, Children and LGBTQIA+; 𝐃𝐫𝐚. 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐓. 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚, Clinic Head of the Mandaluyong Social Hygiene Clinic, who presented the clinic’s services and health programs; 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐡 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐨 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚 of the City Legal Department, who discussed both the coverage and application process of the Mandaluyong City Right to Care Card as well as the current LGBTQIA+ legal landscape in the country; 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, DSWD Undersecretary and Chairperson of the Presidential Special Committee on LGBTQIA+ Affairs, who shared national programs and initiatives for the LGBTQIA+ sector; 𝐌𝐬. 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐜𝐚, Head of Public Relations for LoveYourself and Angat Buhay and Managing Directress of Castro PR, who discussed SOGIESC and community-based programs and services; and 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐣𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐳, RPM, CHRA, MAPSY, RPSY, who provided valuable insights on understanding LGBTQIA+ psychology and mental health.

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 (𝐑𝐓𝐂) 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝 / 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐱𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝 (𝐇𝐏𝐂), featuring an overview by 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐬-𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐬, District I City Councilor, a message from the Author of the said ordinance, 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐀𝐧𝐣𝐞𝐥𝐨 𝐄𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐏. 𝐘𝐚𝐩, District I City Councilor, and the discussion of its coverage and application process by Atty. Joseph Nico Ramarama.

The summit was further strengthened by the message of support delivered by 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐀. 𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐬, City Mayor, reaffirming the City Government’s commitment to promoting inclusivity, protecting human rights, and ensuring that every Mandaleño is treated with dignity and respect regardless of s*xual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or s*x characteristics.

Through meaningful discussions, open forums, and community engagement, the Mandaluyong Pride Summit 2026 served as a powerful platform for education, awareness, and solidarity. It reflects Mandaluyong City's continuing commitment to building a more inclusive, compassionate, and empowered community for all.

22/06/2026

🎥 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 | This Pride Month, we celebrate more than identity, we celebrate love, dignity, and as part of this commitment, Mandaluyong City proudly launches the Right to Care Card or Mandaluyong City Health Proxy Card, a city initiative that advances equality, inclusion, and the recognition of diverse families. 🌈💙

This is what Pride is about in Mandaluyong creating a community where everyone is seen, valued, and given equal opportunities to care for and support one another.

📢 Official dates and guidelines on when and how to apply will be announced soon. Stay tuned for updates from the Gender and Development Department.

Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. We do not own the rights to this music. All credits belong to the original creator/owner.

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14/06/2026

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: In line with the celebration of Pride Month, a special meeting and consultation were held on June 11, 2026, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall in preparation for the implementation of the Mandaluyong City Right to Care Card or the Health Care Proxy Program.

Present during the meeting were representatives from the Gender and Development (GAD) Department, led by Department Head 𝐌𝐬. 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐲 𝐔𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢 together with 𝐌𝐬. 𝐑𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚, 𝐌𝐬. 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨, and 𝐌𝐬. 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨; Rainbow Tigers represented by 𝐌𝐫. 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐚; the Public Information Office (PIO) headed by Department Head 𝐌𝐫. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐜𝐨 together with 𝐌𝐫. 𝐑𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐞 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬; the Information Technology (IT) Department led by Department Head 𝐌𝐬. 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐔𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢 together with 𝐌𝐫. 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐞 and 𝐌𝐬. 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐄𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐨; 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐉𝐢𝐜𝐨 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚 from the Legal Department; 𝐌𝐬. 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐆𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞, Legislative Staff Officer from the Office of Coun. Charisse Abalos-Vargas; and the Mandaluyong City Medical Center (MCMC) led by Director 𝐃𝐫. 𝐂𝐞𝐬𝐚𝐫 𝐓𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐚𝐧 together with Administrator 𝐌𝐫. 𝐀𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐒. 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐜.

Through open dialogue and collaboration, the group discussed the policies, systems, and procedures needed to make the program accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse realities of our community. The proposed Right to Care Program seeks to uphold a simple but powerful principle: everyone deserves the right to choose a trusted person who can speak for them in health care decisions when they are unable to do so themselves.

This initiative reflects Mandaluyong’s continuing commitment to equality, inclusion, and patient-centered care. It is a step toward a city where people of all s*xual orientations, gender identities, and expressions can feel safe, affirmed, and supported not only during Pride Month, but every day.

With the continued support of the Office of the Mayor, Office of the Vice Mayor, and the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the City Government of Mandaluyong remains dedicated to building a community grounded in respect, compassion, and shared humanity.