Philippine E-Journals

WOMEN AND GENDER IN DEVELOPMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT (GAD) PROGRAMS AND FUND UTILIZATION OF QUEZON AND PASIG CITIES

Mary Rose M. Salagubang | Franz Jude Abelgas

 

Abstract:

Gender-Based Budgeting has been the new aim of nations around the world. This is to ensure that programs and projects of the government are aimed at women and gender rights. In the Philippines, EO 273 and Republic Act 9170 or the Women in Development and Nation Building Act ensures the participation of women and gender in government affairs, including budgeting. Furthermore, the Philippines also requires the local government units to allot 5% of the total budget in gender and development (GAD) projects, further identifying the need to evaluate programs under this category. Thus, this paper aims to compare and contrast the GAD program and fund utilization experiences of City of Pasig and Quezon City (QC), being the two local government units with very prominent GAD programs in Metro Manila, through Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions. Results of the KIIs and FGDs revealed that even though the foci were different, both cities had complied with the required GAD PPAs as stated in EO 273 and RA 9710. The areas of interests varied (e.g., Pasig is more concerned with livelihood and family relationships while QC is more inclined on governmental changes in gender) but similarities were also present, such as their analysis of gender issues and the inclusion of all genders in GAD. Regardless of the success of their GAD plans, certain points must be taken into consideration to improve the GAD services of both LGUs