ILOILO CITY—The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) and De La Salle University (DLSU) have conducted a three-day initiative from February 26 to 28, 2025, at Sam’s 21 Hotel, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, to strengthen local policies for women and children.
The event integrated key informant interviews (KIIs) and focused group discussions (FGDs) conducted in a structured setting and the local community to gather firsthand insights, identify policy gaps, and develop recommendations for localized implementation. It also set the foundation for establishing the SDG Policy Center, a dedicated hub for policy advocacy and sustainable development.
“This initiative aligns with our commitment to research-driven policymaking that directly benefits the community,” said ISUFST President Dr. Nordy D. Siason, Jr. “By collaborating with DLSU experts, we ensure that our efforts are data-driven and impactful.”
Spearheaded by ISUFST’s Research and Development Office, under the leadership of Director Dr. Jescel B. Bito-onon, and the DLSU’s Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance (JRIG) Director Dr. Francisco Magno, the project brought together faculty members, policy experts, and various stakeholders to engage in in-depth discussions. “This collaboration of ISUFST with DLSU allowed us to integrate academic research with real-world policymaking, ensuring gender-responsive policies that address real community needs,” Dr. Bito-onon said.
The series of RIIs and FGDs explored a wide range of crucial topics, including anti-violence against women and children (VAWC), tourism management, reproductive health (RH), gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH), mental health, ISUFST’s university conversion journey, disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), climate change adaptation (CCA), gender and development (GAD), and entrepreneurship. Using the institutional analysis and development framework, these discussions aimed to generate insights that will shape inclusive policies and programs benefiting both the university and the broader community.
Select ISUFST faculty, researchers, staff, DLSU specialists, and scores of representatives from municipalities, institutions, organizations, sectors, and advocacy groups were the primary movers of the event. Among the notable DLSU policy research and development experts were DLSU-JRIG Director Magno, Mr. Ian Jayson Hecita, Mr. Eddie Nuque, and Mr. John Benedict Felices.
“This SDG-driven partnership is a crucial step toward creating policies that truly serve women and children,” Dr. Bito-onon added. “With strong collaboration, we can turn research into meaningful change anchored on social justice.” (Herman Lagon/PAMMCO)
