The House of Representatives’ Gender and Development – Focal Point System (GAD-FPS) met on Thursday to discuss its second GAD Plan and Budget Writeshop.
The GAD Plan and Budget Writeshop aims to enhance the budget planning process and, at the same time, improve the implementation of gender equality in both the nation and the government.
GAD-FPS Technical Working Group (TWG) Chairman and Knowledge Management Systems Bureau (KMSB) Executive Director Atty. Roentgen Bronce said that the writeshop activity is not just for accolades and recognition from the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).
He elaborated that the activity is more than just adding money to the budget; there is a due process to learn. This is why the activity will be included in the GAD plan.
“Ganun pala ang planning and budgeting. Hindi lang ‘yong maglalagay ka ng expense class tapos magdadagdag ka ng P10,000 sa previous mo. There’s discipline to it. And it’s something that is not just appreciated by those involved with budgeting and planning, but by everyone,” he explained.
“This time, we will be stricter and more disciplined in identifying programs, projects, and activities (PAPs) in our Gender and Development Plan and Budget (GPB),” Bronce said.
Bronce stressed the necessity of proper budgeting and planning for GAD. He also emphasized the importance of having a clear process to follow so that the institution can take a systematic approach toward GAD.
GAD consultant Raymond Jay Mazo discussed the key elements in planning and budgeting for GAD. These elements include the creation and strengthening of GAD focal points, capability building, the conduct of gender audits, and the institutionalization of a GAD database.
The two-day writeshop will focus on the Gender and Development Plan and Budget (GPB), in alignment with the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework, which includes presentations on policy, people, enabling mechanisms, and PAPs.