UPOU FMDS Project team conducts a Courtesy Call to the LGU of Calape, Bohol, and DTI Bohol - University of the Philippines Open University

The project team of “Participatory Approach in Assessing and Promoting Women-led Permaculture among Selected Permaculture Sites in the Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) Sectors in the Philippines” conducted a courtesy call to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Calape, Bohol, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bohol on 12 September 2025.

The project, led by Associate Professor Finaflor Taylan, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) seeks to promote women-led permaculture initiatives by documenting strategies, assessing impacts, and highlighting the role of women in advancing sustainable agriculture and livelihoods.

Representing the project during the visit were Assistant Professor Remsce A. Pasahol, Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores, Raizza Anna Alforja, Tiffany Leanne Catbagan, and Alexander Caligang. The team presented the project’s objectives and explored possible areas of collaboration, particularly how the LGU and DTI can provide support in strengthening women-led permaculture practices in the community.

The courtesy meeting was attended by the following heads and representatives of the LGU of Calape:

Office of the Mayor – Hon. Mayor Sulpicio N. Yu Jr., M.D.
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) – Chito R. Dumaran
Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) – Maria Teresita J. Penticase
Municipal Tourism Office – John Tedd G. Labajo

Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Person – Laarni Christine D. Piodos, RSW

From the DTI Bohol Provincial Office, Roser Ann D. Escobilla also attended the meeting and shared with the team their interventions and support extended to the Atbang Farm Food Forest in Calape, which serves as one of the project’s partner sites.

The courtesy call was successful, with both the LGU of Calape and DTI Bohol expressing their support for the project and advancing permaculture initiatives in their municipality.

This project aims to contribute to the fulfillment of:

SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13: Climate Change
SDG 17: Partnership

Written by Tiffany Leanne Catbagan • Edited by Larry N. Cruz

Sustainable Development Goals

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The latter half of Day 2 of the 7th AAWS Congress offered an enriching and vibrant blend of academic exchanges among onsite and online participants.The fourth and final plenary session featured Dr. Carolyn I. Sobritchea, AAWS Council Member and Professorial Lecturer at the UP Open University. Dr. Sobritchea discussed integrating women’s empowerment, diversity, and sustainability in shaping Asia’s future, with particular attention to climate justice and women’s leadership. Her presentation highlighted Sustainable Development Goal 13 and emphasized that climate solutions must be equitable, prioritize vulnerable communities, and embed gender equality in climate mitigation efforts. The session was moderated by Asst. Prof. Maria Lourdes T. Jarabe, PhD, RSW (UPOU).The third panel session centered on NGA & Development Partners, moderated by Asst. Prof. Jephte Muñez (UPOU), followed by the final panel, “Empowering Learning, Sustaining Inclusion: Democratizing Gender Discourse through ODeL and ASEAN Collaboration,” moderated by Asst. Prof. Remsce Pasahol (UPOU).The day also included the final round of parallel sessions, which explored themes on Gender, Social Inclusion and Women Empowerment in ASEAN and Women’s Struggles and Democracy in Asia.#AAWSCongress2025 #EmpowerSustainDemocratize #AsianWomenInFocus #SDG5GenderEquality #UPOU #7thAAWSCongress2025 #AAWS #UPOU #FMDS #OGC #EmpowerSustainDemocratize #AsianFeminisms #WomenLeadChange #SDG4 #SDG5 #SDG16 #SDG17 ... See MoreSee Less

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