EVALUATING GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT MAINSTREAMING WITHIN PROVINCIAL LOCAL GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Resumen

Mainstreaming Gender and Development (GAD) is vital to inclusive and responsive governance, requiring the integration of gender perspectives into local government systems, policies, and programs. This study assessed the extent of GAD mainstreaming within provincial local governance structures in the Philippines, specifically in the Province of Negros Occidental. Using five key institutional mechanisms (Focal Point System, Database, Planning and Budgeting, Development Plans, and Monitoring and Evaluation) the research employed a descriptive-quantitative design involving 369 respondents from 31 local government units (LGUs). A validated survey instrument based on national guidelines was utilized to gather data, which was analyzed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests to examine variations across districts and respondent types. Results revealed a generally high level of GAD mainstreaming across four institutional mechanisms, with mean scores indicating strong engagement in focal person systems, planning and budgeting, development plans, and monitoring and evaluation. However, the database mechanism was rated only at a moderate extent (M = 3.44, SD = 0.92), underscoring persistent limitations in gender-disaggregated data management and utilization. These findings suggest that while significant strides have been made in institutionalizing gender-responsive practices locally, critical gaps remain, particularly in data infrastructure and technical capacity. For example, LGUs often lack standardized gender-disaggregated data systems, limiting their ability to prioritize gender issues in planning and budgeting. This study contributes to the discourse on gender equity in governance by providing empirical evidence on the status, strengths, and challenges of GAD mainstreaming in LGUs, thereby informing targeted training modules (e.g., gender-sensitive budgeting workshops and training on database management systems) and policy refinement.