Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Gender and Development (GAD) coordinators from Central Mindanao University (CMU) participated in the 2026 Policy Hackathon “Polisya, Pasya, Siyensya,” which focused on addressing gender gaps in the Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) sector.
Organized by the Development Innovations and Policy Laboratory (DIP Lab) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Mindanao Gender and Development (GAD) Laboratory and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), the program carried the theme “Invisible Hands: Family Labor and Gender Gaps in the AANR Sector.”
The activity ran from March to April 2026 and included preparatory webinars and workshops before the two-day hackathon proper held on April 7–8, 2026, in Davao City. The event gathered participants from various institutions to develop policy briefs and present recommendations addressing family labor dynamics and gender disparities in the AANR sector.
The CMU delegation was composed of GAD coordinators from different colleges: Ms. Madelon A. Boiser, College of Agriculture; Ms. Donna Mae B. Verula, College of Engineering; Ms. Virma Faith T. Dayondon, College of Arts and Sciences; and Ms. Marie O. Gamil, CGAD staff. Their participation aimed to contribute to the development of gender-responsive and evidence-based policy solutions.
Ms. Dayondon emphasized the need to recognize women’s contributions in the sector, noting that “women’s family labor keeps the AANR sector running, yet their contributions are often uncounted and unsupported.” She highlighted the importance of generating sex-disaggregated data to support more inclusive policymaking and to identify existing gap better.
Ms. Gamil, a first-time participant, said the activity provided a broader understanding of policymaking processes. “The theme made me realize how much of women’s contributions, especially in agriculture and family labor, often go unseen and undervalued,” she said. She added that policymaking should not rely solely on data but must also consider lived experiences.
The hackathon also underscored the importance of collaboration among stakeholders. Participants worked in groups to develop policy recommendations, drawing from diverse perspectives and areas of expertise.
Outputs from the activity included policy briefs and pitch presentations evaluated by a panel of experts and judges. The initiative aimed to support the integration of research findings into policies that address gender inequalities in the AANR sector. (Iyren Dalipe Neri)
