The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) has re-certified Mabalacat City as a Gender and Development Local Learning Hub (LLH) for 2023-2026 and Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) as a GAD LLH for 2023-2026, on May 15, 2023.

Mabalacat City is the first local government unit in Central Luzon to be awarded and re-certified by PCW on the outstanding promotion and implementation of gender-sensitive GAD practices, which significantly develop the lives of women and every gender in any age.

The city’s gender-responsive program, Early Childhood Care and Development, has notably contributed to building a strong foundation for gender-sensitive Mabalaquenian Kindergarten girls and boys.

Upon receiving the award, Mayor Crisostomo Garbo said “This award is a testament of the LGU’s consistent efforts to be a gender-responsive city. I assure my kabalens that my support in keeping up with this goal will remain strong.”

Mabalacat City has been assessed last January 27 by the Technical Services and Regional Coordination Division (TSRCD) of the PCW, and it was determined that the city met the requirements for recertification and is deserving of the award. Further, the PCW said that Mabalacat City’s best practices in place may be replicated by other LGU’s.

Mayor Cris Garbo was joined by Vice Mayor Gerald Aquino, City Councilors Rox Peña, Jerry Magsino, Noel Castro, Cherry Manalo, Doc Cocoy Tiglao, and city administrator Franco Alejo Madlangbayan, department and unit heads, and government employees.

Also present were PCW Deputy Executive Director for Operations Maria Kristina Josefina G. Balmes and PCW delegates: Chief GAD Specialist – Nharleen Santos-Millar, Supervising GAD Specialist – Kim Harold Peji, and Regine Carmelli F. Reyes – GAD Specialist for the Ceremonial and Recertification and Awarding of GAD-Local Learning Hub Makers: ECCD Program.