Committed to support government’s Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality (Women’s EDGE) Plan for 2013-2016 under Philippine Development Plan (PDP 2011-2016), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is opening its door for women who are interested in pursuing non-traditional female professions, particularly in the heavy equipment operation.
Despite being labeled as an agency being dominated by males, the DPWH continues its advocacy towards gender equality, by providing even opportunities for men and women, through training and employment.
Recently, the DPWH Region XI Training Center produced five (5) female heavy equipment operators among 62 graduates in the recently concluded NC-II Batch 2013 graduation.
Four women graduated Forklift NC-II and one Wheel Loader NC-II.
Furthermore, the female heavy equipment operator graduates are expected to be hired by the DPWH, and will be paid equally as their male counterparts.
The DPWH Region II likewise showed its support for women’s empowerment programs after partnering with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in training and hiring female highway maintenance employees.
The inclusion of gender-related targets and strategies in the PDP 2011-2016 and the gender vision articulated in the Social Contract of President Benigno Aquino III infused additional impetus in the Women’s EDGE Plan to address gender issues programs.
The Women’s EDGE Plan aims to guide government agencies in mainstreaming the gender dimension in their regular programs, as well as in implementing gender-focused activities.
The Women’s EDGE Plan is the fourth gender-focused plan formulated by the Philippines since 1989; previously being Philippine Development Plan for Women (PDPW 1989-1992), the Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development (PPGD 1995-2025), and the Framework Plan for Women (FPW 2004-2010).