The Cavite State University (CvSU), through the Gender and Development (GAD) Resource Center, joined the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Region IV-A’s 2025 First Quarter Regional Population Executive Board (RPEB) Meeting cum Planning Workshop held on March 6–7, 2025, at Hotel Casiana & Events Center in Tagaytay City, Cavite.
Representing CvSU were Dr. Ma. Cynthia Rundina-Dela Cruz, Officer-in-Charge of the GAD Resource Center; Ms. Kate Angeline S. Hernando, in-charge for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation; and Mr. Janeal Krayjn Rebutazo, Training Coordinator of GAD Resource Center.
The event gathered representatives from 14 Regional Line Agencies (RLAs) and three State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), including Southern Luzon State University (SLSU), Batangas State University (BatStateU), and CvSU. These institutions collaborated to align their efforts with the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action (PPD-POA) 2023–2028.
CPD-CALABARZON Regional Director Marilyn F. Ogaya welcomed all participants with a message of encouragement, stressing the significance of the activity in steering collective action and shared commitment. The first day focused on reviewing previous agreements from the 4th Quarter RPEB meeting, including updates on the inclusion of NYC CALABARZON as a non-voting member and the development of research templates with SUCs. Progress on the Registry of Barangay Inhabitants and Migrants (RBIM), partnership agreements, and the upcoming KATROPA Training were also discussed.
The second agenda is the sharing of the presentation of draft MOAs/MOUs to strengthen institutional partnerships. CvSU and SLSU expressed intent to participate in research on adolescent pregnancy, while BatStateU and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) committed to presenting their findings on Indigenous Peoples in the next meeting. The Department of Agriculture (DA) IV-A encouraged SUCs to submit proposals for population-related research, as funding is available.
For the third agenda, RD Ogaya also discussed the harmonization of RBIM, CBMS, and BIMS data systems, clarifying distinctions and upcoming efforts to streamline data collection. A coordination meeting on this initiative is scheduled for April 22, 2025.
Other matters included the launch of the 2025 Rafael M. Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Award (RMSKPA) which aims to recognize outstanding LGU efforts in population and development from 2022 to 2024. CvSU will serve as a one of the members of the award’s Search Committee.
During the afternoon session, participants drafted their agency-specific action plans aligned with the eight strategic pillars of the PPD-POA. These include responsible parenthood, adolescent health, labor force empowerment, inclusive development for marginalized sectors, and the integration of population goals into broader governance and policy frameworks. These outputs were finalized and presented on the second day for review by RD Ogaya and the CPD team. Final signed plans are due for submission by March 21, 2025.
The meeting concluded with announcements on upcoming RPEB sessions. The 2nd Quarter meeting is tentatively set for June 10, 2025, to be hosted by PhilHealth IV-B, while CvSU offered to host the 3rd Quarter session, continuing its proactive engagement in regional development efforts.
Through this initiative, CvSU reaffirms its commitment to fostering responsive, research-informed, and inclusive population and development programs, in line with national goals and regional priorities.
