By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) on Thursday (Sept. 25) held the Recognition of 2024 Top-Performing Agencies in the GAD (Gender and Development) Budget here at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was earlier entered into between the PCW and the OSCA Pilipinas.
PCW Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla said that they could not have reached today if not for the support of the stakeholders.
Valdeavilla cited former PCW Chairperson Imelda M. Nicolas who advised or ordered them that budgeting and planning must go hand in hand together as well as performance when it comes to the 30-year plan for the GAD.
She added that then Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin who introduced the first budget for women and the rest was history.
“At least 5% from the GAA (General Appropriations Act) in 1995 was the first budget for women,” Valdeavilla said.
“There are 14 categories but we will only select the Top 1,” she added.
Valdeavilla stressed that when they included BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) and the LGUs (local government units) the GAD Budget reached P2.1 Trillion.
She pointed out that Republic Act 7192, otherwise known as the” Women in Development and Nation Building Act”, was enacted into law on Feb. 12, 1992 and was authored by Senator Santanina Rasul.
“We celebrate the heads of agencies such that even if they are not here, they are the ones still working, especially the COS (contract of service). You are the unsung GAD heroes,” Valdeavilla said.
“But recognition must not make us complacent,” she added.
Valdeavilla noted that 12 women die everyday because of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and the testing must continue.
She personally appealed for understanding and support saying that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is really concerned with women such that if he says there is budget for women, it means no women will die of cervical cancer.
Valdeavilla expressed her profound gratitude to all the guests and participants in today’s recognition rites.
The plaques of appreciation were presented to Aklan State University, Batangas State University, Biliran Province State University, Bulacan Agricultural State College, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Fire Protection, Camarines Cortez State College, Central Mindanao University, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Clark Development Corp., Court of Appeals, Credit Information Corp., Davao De Oro State College, Davao del Norte State College, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Dr. Emilio Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, John Hay Management Corp., Landbank of the Philippines, Land Registration Authority, Land Transportation Office, LBP Leasing and Finance Corp., LRTA, Mactan-Cebu Airport Authority, Mariano Marcos State University, MWSS Corporate Office, National Dairy Authority, National Food Authority, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Northeastern Mindanao State University, Mindoro Occidental State College, Office of the Ombudsman, OWWA, PTV Inc. PCPHM, PDEA, PDIC, PPA, PRA, PCO, SEI, Northeasten Mindanao State University, Southern Leyte State University, TESDA, Visayas State University, and Western Philippines University.
Ranked three times were the AFP, Bicol University, Bukidnon State University, BFAR, Capiz State University, Cavite State University, Cebu Normal University, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, CIAC, DOJ, DMW, DND, DBP, DHVTSU, FTI, GSIS, Ifugao State University, Isabela State University, Marinduque State University, NTA, NTC, OPAPRU, Pangasinan State University, PCA, PGC, Phividec Industrial Authority, PSALMC, PRC, PAO, SHFC, SBMA, University of Eastern Philippines, University of Northern Philippines, University of Southeastern Philippines, University of Southern Mindanao, Western Mindanao State University, and Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University.
Ranked four times were the Bataan Peninsula State University, Benguet State University, Cebu Technological University, COA, DILG, NPC, PCMC, PUP, PCIC, PHC, PNP, PRRI, PSA, Bulacan State University, DBM, DICT, DOST, PAF, PCSO, and UPS.
Ranked five times were the DMMSU, NHA, PA, PCG, PHiC, and VSU.
Ranked six times were the DEPD, and NIA.
Ranked seven times were the DA and the DepEd,
Ranked eight times were the DENR and the DOLE,
Ranked 10 times was only the DAR.
The Top 3 performing agencies who appeared 12 times in the category were the DFA, DOST and DOH who appeared 14 times in the category.
Also present were CHR Chairperson Atty. Richard Palpal-latoc and DBM Undersecretary Goddes Hope Libiran.
Palpal-latoc commended the recognition of top performing agencies in the GAD Budget.
He said that the CHR is the chief implementor of the Magna Carta for Women.
Palpal-latoc cited the United Nations initiatives and resolutions on women and gender equality.
In a press conference, Valdeavilla said that the gender mainstreaming is based on the realities on the ground.
“We want to inform the PNP about the almost 92% VACC cases,” Valdeavilla said.
“Our big problem is the lack of data as basis to determine whether or not VACW desks are properly addressing such VACW cases,” she added.
Valdeavilla stressed that they are looking into a whole of government approach on VACW problems.
“In short, women working abroad are not alone as there are already instruments to help them,” Valdeavilla said.
“There are 49 government agencies who had never submitted reports on GAD Budget Report and Planning since the beginning,” she added.
Valdeavilla stressed that not everything is in the law, adding that, the diversion of fund of the GAD Budget is not happening in the PCW.
She pointed out that there are several transparency mechanisms, including the DBM and the COA.
The PCW has an annual budget of P180 million or 0.03% of the DSWD budget.
“You cannot say whether or not there are ghost projects in the PCW but there are mechanisms to determine such ghost projects,” Valdeavilla said.
“Our collaboration now is 99% with the MSMEs (micro small and medium enterprises). The private sector is not fully tapped, but there is such collaboration through the corporate social responsibility,” she added.
DSWD Asec. Janet P. Armas said *it was actually a journey. It did not happen overnight.”
“There are still areas that we need to improve,” Armas added.
DFA Usec. Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega said “it’s also been a journey. We are in a unique position because of our OFWs.”
“We need to reeducate and reskill our personnel in order to cater to migrant workers we serve,” De Vega said.
“The knowledge sharing, through information dissemination, is ongoing in the country and abroad,” she added. .
DAR Dir. Agnes B. Mendoza said that the gender nsinstreaming is also a journey in the making.
Mendoza added that in the DAR they are also doing something for their personnel as well as DAR beneficiaries for enterprise programs and gender mainstreaming.
The DAR noted that majority of farmers are male, hence, they are also providing opportunities for women farmers such as in enterprises.
PCW Deputy Executive Director Anita E. Baleda said that there are agencies that are working based on the standards of the GAD Budget and Planning.
PCW Atty. Ma. Sophia Isabella P. De Castro
said that the press conference is not just about the GAD Budget.
“The GAD Budget of 1995 strengthened the program for women,” De Castro said.
“The DFA, DSWD and DOH showed strong investment in 2024 integrating GAD in their respective agencies,” she added.
“It’s not just about the GAD Budget but investing in the future for women and gender equality,” De Castro. ###
