Dir. Maria Lourdes Jarabe (2nd seated from right) with the Regional Gender and Development Council Region IV-A CALABARZON during its First Semester 2026 meeting.
The UP Open University, represented by the Office of Gender Concerns, joined the First Semester 2026 Meeting of the Regional Gender and Development Council (RGADC) of the Region IV-A CALABARZON at the DEPDev Regional Office IV-A Building, Barangay Milagrosa, Calamba City on 28 January 2026.
The meeting was presided over by the Regional Development Council Vice-Chair Dir. Carmel Matabang and RGADC Secretary Mr. Michael Lavadia. Representatives from government agencies, local government units, and state universities and colleges across the region were in attendance, including UPOU through Dir. Maria Lourdes T. Jarabe, Director of the Office of Gender Concerns.
Key agenda items included the presentation of the RGADC Terms of Reference for 2026-2028, the election of the Chairperson and Co-chairperson for the RGADC, the presentation of the Regional GAD Accomplishment for 2025, and the endorsement of the 2026 RGADC Work Plan. The Council also discussed planned RGADC activities for the year, including the Regional Women’s Month celebration, and the proposal for the 2026 Regional GAD Convention slated for the second quarter.
UPOU’s continued collaboration with diverse GAD offices across the region establishes the University’s strong commitment to advancing gender equality and women empowerment by strengthening partnerships and linkages.
Written by Xandra Marie G. Villareal | Edited by:Maria Lourdes T. Jarabe | Contributed by the UPOU Office of Gender Concerns
