Davao del Sur State College joined higher education institutions from across Region XI for a two-day training on September 7 and 8, 2026, at the University of the Immaculate Conception Bajada Campus in Davao City.
The training, titled “Building Safe and Gender Responsive Workplaces: Gender Sensitivity and CODI Capacity Building,” was organized by the Region XI Gender and Development Advocates network. It brought together GAD advocates and CODI members from different institutions to work through how gender-related workplace concerns are identified, handled, and resolved.
The first day was led by Engr. Melina Avila of the Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office and a member of the National GAD Resource Pool. Sessions looked at how gender concerns show up in everyday workplace interactions, decisions, and communication, and why it matters how those moments are handled. The second day turned to CODI capacity building, led by Atty. Jesus Agora Villardo III, Legal Services Center Director and Professor II of the USeP School of Law. That session covered the proper handling of complaints, with attention to confidentiality, impartiality, due process, and sensitivity toward all parties involved.
DSSC was represented by GAD Focal Person Prof. Cecile C. Lofranco; CODI Chairperson Engr. Clara A. Acebes, Ph.D.; CODI members Marie Gian Nicole D. Sombillo, RPm, Excel Evangelist D. Javelona, Prof. Andrew Felix IV Cunanan, and Bai Nikki Nolaine P. Samama; and Student Representative Mernie S. Pardillo.
The training supports SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by strengthening the college’s capacity to address gender-related concerns in the workplace, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) through proper and fair handling of complaints and institutional accountability.
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