The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Caraga is doubling down on its commitment to inclusive and gender-responsive governance in the fisheries sector.

The agency recently held its FY 2025 Gender and Development (GAD) Midyear Review on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in Butuan City, gathering GAD focal persons and implementers from across the region to assess progress and targets, and strengthen gender mainstreaming strategies.

Key activities during the review included the presentation of accomplishment reports, sharing of best practices, discussion of implementation challenges, and capacity-building sessions focused on data integration and harmonization of GAD plans with BFAR’s institutional goals.

The mid-year review assessed the performance of GAD initiatives for the first half of 2025, with an emphasis on promoting gender equality, empowering women, and ensuring that both men and women benefit from the region’s fisheries programs, projects, and activities.

Regional GAD focal person Mikee Badian emphasized that the review is part of the agency’s continuing efforts to mainstream gender perspectives in every aspect of its operations.

“Mainstreaming gender is not an add-on—it’s a fundamental approach to ensure that our programs are inclusive, equitable, and truly responsive to the diverse needs of the communities we serve,” Badian emphasized.

With this initiative, DA-BFAR Caraga reaffirms its goal of building resilient, empowered coastal communities where equality is not just an aspiration, but a standard. (Ivy C. Antoniano, Planning Officer)