VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) joined the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Research Testing and Laboratory Services (ERTLS) as the latter successfully concluded its pivotal campaign, “Girls and Science, Girls in Science (GASGIS), You Have the Power!”, that ran from April 15-20, 2024 in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.

Led by ERTLS’ Director Amelia M. de Guzman and Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB) Division Chief Jimwel B. Balunday, the initiative is a key part of the DOE’s National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program (NEECP) and aims to encourage young women to engage with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The GASGIS Campaign in Ilocos Sur is designed to spark interest and empower female students in Grades 9 and 10 from Cabugao Institute, Inc. and Ilocos Sur National High School to delve into STEM disciplines.

The campaign represents not only an investment in the scientific capacity of young women in the country. It is also a strategic effort of DOE to motivate and encourage the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) through MENRE to inspire its young Bangsamoro women to become the next generation of Bangsamoro scientists, geologists, and engineers, who will play a crucial role in the sustainable harnessing of the region’s energy potential.

DOE acknowledges the significant strides made by BARMM-MENRE in pioneering oil, gas, and coal industry exploration and renewable energy development, which is a linchpin for national and regional prosperity. The GASGIS Campaign stands as a tribute to the national government’s pledge to aid these efforts through the empowerment of education and the development of local expertise.

“We are immensely proud to support the BARMM MENRE’s dedication to advancing their energy resources. The GASGIS campaign is a beacon of our dedication to inclusive growth and the empowerment of women within the energy industry,” shared by DOE-ERDB Assistant Director Antiporda.

“We are confident that our collaborative initiatives will encourage a new wave of Bangsamoro female professionals in the energy sector,” he added.

To strengthen the collaboration between the national government and the Bangsamoro government, Engr. Yussof C. Ali and An-nur M. Empal, Science Research Specialist I, represented the BARMM-MENRE’s Joint Review and Evaluation Committee (REC) and the Joint REC Technical Working Group (TWG). This participation underscores the National Government’s dedication to capacity-building for the Bangsamoro Government and their successful involvement in the event reflects this commitment.

As the campaign concludes, the DOE and MENRE reaffirm their commitment to nurturing the potential of female students, particularly within the BARMM, encouraging them to explore and excel in STEM disciplines. The GASGIS movement signifies a step towards a future where gender diversity is not just an aspiration but a reality in the energy sector and beyond.