TAGUIG CITY, Philippines — The Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) Technical Working Group (TWG) strengthened its capacity on gender-responsive planning and budgeting through a webinar focused on moving beyond the 5% GAD budget allocation on September 1, 2026.
The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) conducted the webinar, “Moving Beyond 5%: Championing Gender-Responsive Planning and Budgeting,” which brought together more than 900 participants nationwide, including eleven (11) members of the PNOC GFPS-TWG. The webinar enhanced participants’ understanding of the preparation of the GAD Plan and Budget (GPB) and GAD Accomplishment Report (GAD AR), as well as the processes for consolidating, submitting, reviewing, and endorsing the FY 2027 GPB. It also provided insights into the audit of GAD funds and activities.
The participants likewise gained insights on the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in GAD planning and reporting, particularly in ensuring due diligence in handling confidential, sensitive, and personal information, consistent with PCW Memorandum Circular No. 2026-03.
In her opening remarks, PCW Executive Director Nharleen Santos-Millar challenged participants to move beyond the 5% budget target and emphasized that GAD must be pursued with responsibility and commitment, not merely as a compliance requirement.
PNOC’s participation reflects the Company’s commitment to this challenge. Following the establishment of its GAD Agenda in 2025, PNOC continues to strengthen gender mainstreaming across its programs, projects, and operations, with the full support of its President and CEO and GFPS Chairperson Franz Josef George E. Alvarez.
The webinar likewise provided valuable learnings that can help guide the Company’s GAD Planning and Budgeting in October 2026, where the GFPS-TWG and project implementers from various departments collaboratively identified and addressed gender issues across PNOC’s programs, projects, and activities. Through this collective effort, the Company ensured that identified gender issues were appropriately addressed and that responsive and meaningful interventions were integrated into its plans and programs.
Building a more inclusive energy future requires purposeful action. PNOC remains committed to advancing its GAD vision: promoting gender equality by ensuring that the development of energy sources and the adoption of renewable energy technologies are inclusive, participatory, and responsive to the distinct needs and contributions of Filipinos of all genders.