COA Strengthens Advocacy on Gender Equality in Celebrating the 2023 National Women’s Month
The Commission on Audit, Regional Office No. XIII (COA Caraga) continues to strengthen its advocacy on women empowerment and gender equality and its commitment towards an inclusive society as it celebrates the 2023 National Women’s Month in March 2023, embracing the theme “WE Gender Equality and Inclusive Society”. Spearheaded by its dynamic and empowered Regional Director, Ms. Merne T. Peñaranda, COA Caraga takes the right leap in taking up gender-responsive activities. The wearing of the signature purple shirt in all Wednesdays of March made it more symbolic and relevant, and showed the Region’s solidarity with this year’s theme.
Kicking off the celebration on March 1, 2023, the COA Caraga conducted a Zumba exhibition at the Regional Office Covered Court, which was participated by the personnel from the COA Regional Office and the Regional Center. COA personnel from the field offices also gathered at their respective Provincial Satellite Auditing Offices in the Provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur for their Zumba exhibitions. The activity aimed at promoting physical fitness, mental state, and social well-being of all personnel of COA Region XIII.
Moreover, the untiring efforts of the COA Caraga Committee on Training and Advocacy led to the efficient conduct of face-to-face activities and seminars in the field of information and communication technology, services, and livelihood.
On March 16, 2023, the COA Caraga conducted the Orientation on the Processing of Digital Signature in coordination with the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) Caraga Regional Office. Furthermore, on March 23, 2023, orientation seminars on the use of the COA Digital Signing Service and the Disbursement Voucher Preparation Application Systems were likewise conducted.
On March 27, 2023, the Regional Office sponsored the Training on Small Engine Car Repair in coordination with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Agusan del Norte Provincial Office. Likewise, the Regional Office conducted the Training on Urban Agriculture in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga Regional Office. Program focal persons who are experts in their respective fields from the TESDA and the DA acted as resource persons in the said activities. The trainings truly provided equal opportunities to the participants on the specialized knowledge and skills gained during the lectures and actual process demonstration.
COA Caraga personnel also actively participated in COA Central Office-sponsored events and trainings through online platforms, such as: Updates on Persons and Family Relations; Symposium on First Aid, Gender Sensitivity Training; Updates on Grievance Machinery and Updates on Pre-Retirement and Life After Retirement; Audit of GAD Programs; and film showing of the Indie film “Bagahe”. The said activities carried comprehensive information and created a positive impact that inspired the audience’s well-being and adaptability to the society.
On March 30, 2023, the COA Caraga has successfully culminated its month-long celebration at the COA Regional Office No. XIII, which was participated face-to-face and through virtual platform by all personnel of COA Region XIII.
In closing, Regional Director Merne T. Peñaranda urged the Women and Everyone of Caraga in the pursuit towards gender equality, respond to the Philippine Commission on Women’s (PCW) call for inclusivity where everyone is afforded his or her rights regardless of gender, class, status, or ability, and be part of a society that overwrites differences where no one is left behind.