The Commission on Audit (COA) has received from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) its two highest awards for the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment.

The awards were for Gender and Development Transformation & Institutionalization through Mainstreaming of Programs, Agenda, Linkages & Advocacies (GADtimpala) 2023.

COA was honored with the GADtimpala Gold for Outstanding Gender Responsive Agency in recognition of its outstanding performance in gender mainstreaming and the effective implementation of gender-responsive programs, and the GADtimpala Gold for exemplary GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) highlighting the dedication and commitment of COA GFPS in promoting gender equality and women empowerment in the organization and the sector.

In a statement, PCW said the GADtimpala award recognizes deserving entities, government agencies, and local government units for their outstanding performance in gender mainstreaming and the effective implementation of gender-responsive programs that have visible impacts in upholding women’s rights, achieving gender equality and empowerment, and transforming women’s and men’s lives.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos gave congratulatory video messages to the awardees.

President Marcos noted that the awardees’ initiatives and the efficiency of their implementation demonstrate the typical ingenuity, sincerity and integrity that Filipinos can and should expect from government.

“As your efforts for the progress of our society are honored, I also welcome the inspiration and challenge that this would bring to public servants all across our country. I hope that what you have shown and continue to show will inspire us all in our unending efforts for the empowerment of our people no matter their gender. Let the success of our colleagues be a reminder of our power to continue making our nation more inclusive for the present and succeeding generations,” the President said.

For her part, the First Lady stressed the importance of the continued commitment to protecting the rights of Filipino women through government gender mainstreaming initiatives.

“I would also like to congratulate this year’s GADtimpala awardees for championing the work-place gender equality and women empowerment. Thank you for all your hard work and again congratulations to all of you. Sama-sama tayong babangon muli para sa bagong Pilipinas,” she said.

The PCW also honored 17 other government agencies with the silver and bronze awards.

The other awardees were the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Privatization and Management Office, Philippine Army, Department of National Defense, Department of Public Works and Highways, Government Service Insurance System, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, Commission on Elections, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Commission on Filipinos Overseas, Department of Science and Technology, National Housing Authority, and Social Housing Finance Corporation.

The awarding ceremony was held at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura, Taguig City on Aug, 14, 2023 during the anniversary of the Magna Carta of Women under Republic Act No. 9710 enacted in 2009.