GAD Resource Center

Rationale and Mandate (Establishment of the CALABARZON GRC)

A Survey conducted by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) among the Regional Development Council (RDC) members indicated low level of capability of GAD focal persons conducting gender sensitivity trainings, mainstreaming GAD and trainers’ training, the conduct of situational analysis, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, such as, the originally trained GAD focal person either retired or are given other assignments and inadequate funds to hire competent resource person on higher level or more focused topics on GAD. Given this situation, the RDC created a Sub Committee on Gender and Development (SCGAD) which is tasked to ensure the institutionalization of GAD practices in CALABARZON Region.

On April 18, 2005 the Sub – Committee on Gender and Development (SCGAD) Region IV-A (CALABARZON) conducted its first quarterly meeting at the Commission on Population Regional Office lV-A in Mandaluyong City. It was attended by the representatives, members and guests from different line agencies and institutions in the region. The President of the University of Rizal System as the Chairwoman of the Sectoral Committee on Social Development (SCSD) and with the active participation to the SCGAD was then tasked to share the URS Initiatives, after her valuable presentation, it was suggested by the Director of POPCOM and as Co-Chairperson of SCGAD that URS will serve as the Regional GAD Resource Center of CALABARZON. The representatives, members and guests of SCGAD meeting agreed, and the resolution endorsing for the said suggestion was prepared and approved last July 28, 2005 in Taguig City.

The rationale and need for the center have been conceptualized to support national commitment and the global efforts toward gender equity and equality to contribute to social, political, economic and cultural development which is supported with:

Republic Act 7192 known as the “Women in Development and Nation Building Act” which promotes the integration of women as full and equal partners of men in development and nation building and other purposes; and

Inaccordance with Executive Order (EO) No. 273 (Approving and Adopting the Philippines Plan for Gender Responsive Development (PPGD) 1995-2025, agencies are mandated to institutionalize GAD in in government by integrating the concerns spelled out in the PPGD in their planning, programming and budgeting processes. It also mandates agencies to incorporate and reflect GAD concerns in their performance commitment contracts, annual budget proposals, work and financial plans.

The need was alsostrengthened based on the assessment that only few among government agencies and institutions in Region lV-A are properly implementing the GAD Plans, Programs and Activities (PPAs).

University ofRizal System Morong, Rizal as designated GAD resource Center of CALABARZON by the SCGAD through RDC Resolution No. lV-A-45-2005 is perceived to provide guidance and proper assistance to the different Regional Line Agencies (RLAs), Local Government Units (LGUs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Non-Government and Private Organizations (NGOs/POs) in CALABARZON to promote gender responsive governance and effectively implement GAD PPAs.