PANABO CITY – Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) capped its yearend activities with the conduct of Gender and Development (GAD) Talks: Conflict Sensitivity and Peace Promotion and HIV Awareness on December 16, 2025, at the DNSC Gymnasium.
The activity invited all college employees for a day of learning and reflection on inclusive, safe, and rights-based workplaces. Facilitated by the Human Resource Management Office, the activity aimed to deepen employees’ understanding of gender-responsive governance, peace-building, and health awareness as integral components of institutional development
The first session, Conflict Sensitivity and Peace Promotion, was delivered by Libertad Villegas-Regis, Panabo City Civil Registrar and GAD Coordinator. Her discussion emphasized the strong link between gender equality, conflict sensitivity, and peace promotion, highlighting how these elements collectively contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The second session focused on HIV Awareness, led by Erwin Espinosa, a Licensed HIV Counselor by the Department of Health. Espinosa provided a clear discussion on what HIV and AIDS are, how HIV is transmitted, and how it can be prevented, while also addressing and correcting common myths and misconceptions surrounding the virus. The session reinforced the need for accurate information, empathy, and non-discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV.
In his opening remarks, Rhaymart Joe O. Gella, Director for Administrative Services, stressed that Gender and Development goes beyond compliance. “Today’s activity is a reminder that GAD is not merely a compliance requirement, but a continuing responsibility of every institution and every individual, and DNSC is not an exemption. We are very conscious of gender and development,” he said.
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