A MAJORITY of government implementing agencies’ official development assistance (ODA)-funded projects and programs are not gender-responsive and gender-sensitive, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

This is the first time that the Neda will incorporate gender and development in its ODA Portfolio Review in an effort to comply with Republic Act 7192, or the Women in Development and Nation-Building Act. The law mandates the Neda to monitor the amount of ODA resources that are allocated for gender-responsive programs and projects.

The Neda asked 39 implementing agencies to submit a report but only 17 submitted the requirement and only 15 sent complete reports. The total ODA portfolio of the 15 agencies amounted to $2.7 billion for 40 projects.

The Neda data showed that only 43 percent, or $863.81 million, of the ODA portfolio of 15 agencies that submitted gender and development (GAD) reports were gender-responsive and gender-sensitive.

Further, around 30 percent, or $796.81 million, went to projects and programs with promising GAD prospects, while only 27 percent or $731.14 million were “GAD-invisible” or had no gender issues or concerns identified in the project/program design.

“The Philippines is committed to the Millennium Declaration which includes the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment as MDG [Millennium Development Goal] 3. Gender equality is integral to the achievement of the MDGs. Without progress toward gender equality and women’s empowerment, it will be difficult to achieve the MDG targets,” the Neda said.

In terms of sectors, the Neda said while the infrastructure development sector account for 14 out of the 40 projects and accounted for $1.7 billion, or 64 percent of the total ODA portfolio, the sector accounted for 98 percent of all GAD-invisible projects and programs.

In contrast, projects under the agriculture, agrarian reform and natural resources sector was the most gender-responsive sector. It accounted for 44 percent of the total reported ODA allocation given to gender-responsive projects.

Further, the sector was also regarded as the most gender-sensitive and accounted for 47 percent of the total reported ODA allocation that went to gender-sensitive projects.

“In terms of the agencies’ assessment on the gender-responsiveness of their projects, it is noteworthy to mention that there were staffs who were aware and can identify GAD in their respective projects. However, there were still a few submissions that showed inconsistencies in classifying projects, as projects with ‘no-gender issues identified’ were still classified as gender-responsive/sensitive,” the Neda said.

“Given the results of this monitoring activity, there is a need to enhance the skills of the project staff and implementing agencies in accomplishing the GAD forms,” it added.