Gender and Development (GAD) Corner
Gender equality is a fundamental part of our mission. We seek to empower individuals while creating avenues for them to become active agents of change and development.
What is Gender and Development (GAD)?
Gender and Development (GAD) refers to the development perspective and process that is participatory and empowering, equitable, sustainable, free from violence, respectful of human rights, supportive of self-determination and actualization of human potentials. It seeks to achieve gender equality as a fundamental value that should be reflected in development choices and recognizes women as active agents of development, not just passive recipients.
How Gender and Development Started
Gender and Development was developed in the 1980s as an alternative to the Women in Development (WID) approach.
Unlike WID, the GAD approach focuses not only on women but on the social roles, responsibilities, and expectations assigned to both men and women.
GAD applies gender analysis to understand how men and women work together, using neutral terms of economics and competence.
It focuses on two major frameworks: Gender Roles Analysis and Social Relations Analysis, which examine access to resources, power relations, and institutional influences affecting gender equality.
Gender and Development in the Philippines
Memorandum Circular No. 2011-01 (October 21, 2011) provided guidelines and procedures for the establishment, strengthening, and institutionalization of the Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) across all government agencies and instrumentalities.
Republic Act No. 9710, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women, was approved on August 14, 2009. It mandates non-discriminatory and gender-responsive measures to ensure women’s participation in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of national and local development policies and programs.
DENR Administrative Order No. 98-15 was issued on May 27, 1998 to strengthen the Gender and Development Focal Point System and promote the vision of a partnership of empowered men and women for sustainable development.
The Philippine Plan for Gender and Development (1995–2025) was approved and adopted through Executive Order No. 273 on September 8, 1995, serving as the national framework for achieving equality and development for both women and men.
Annual Gender and Development (GAD) Plan and Budget
Access the agency’s approved Annual GAD Plans and Budgets by selecting the corresponding year below:
Note: Links will be updated as new GAD Plans and Budgets are approved.
Annual Gender and Development (GAD) Accomplishments
Access the agency’s Annual GAD Accomplishments by selecting the corresponding year below:
Note: Links will be updated as new GAD Accomplishments are approved.
GAD Focal Point System (GFPS)
Chairperson / GAD Focal Point Person
Dr. Ma. Teresa C. Inigo
Director General
Email: odg@pitahc.gov.ph
Tel: (02) 8282-5193 / 8282-5194 local 311
Alternate Chairperson
Atty. Carmencita D. Castro-Santos
OIC-Deputy Director General
Email: odg@pitahc.gov.ph
Local 310
Administrative Division
Ms. Emeline Rose R. Mariano
admin@pitahc.gov.ph
Local 305
Finance Division
Ms. Maria Judy L. Bartolome
finance@pitahc.gov.ph
Local 307
Research Division
Ms. Pia Rose A. Belarmino
research@pitahc.gov.ph
Local 106
Standards & Accreditation
Atty. Keenth N. Almeñe
standards@pitahc.gov.ph
Local 104
Management Services Division
Dr. Froilainne A. Dela Cruz
msd@pitahc.gov.ph
Local 302
Chairperson (CAO/HEPO IV)
Member: Ms. Emeline Rose R. Mariano
emelinerose.mariano@pitahc.gov.ph
local 305
Alternate: Ms. Kristine Marie B. Gapor
kristinemarie.gapor@pitahc.gov.ph
local 202
Research and Development Division
Member: Ms. Mer-Va F. Crisostomo
mer-va.crisostomo@pitahc.gov.ph
local 105
Alternate: Mr. Renz Marion L. Ricafrente
renzmarion.ricafrente@pitahc.gov.ph
local 105
Social Advocacy and Training Division
Member: Mr. Rhoderick N. Domingo
rhoderic.domingo@pitahc.gov.ph
local 202
Alternate: Mr. Ferdinand P. Dayro
ferdinand.dayro@pitahc.gov.ph
local 202
Standards and Accreditation Division
Member: Mr. James M. Nacario, Jr.
james.nacariojr@pitahc.gov.ph
local 103
Alternate: Mr. Earl Jude J. Agana
earl.agana@pitahc.gov.ph
local 103
Administrative Division
Member: Mr. Louie C. Sibug
louie.sibug@pitahc.gov.ph
local 304
Alternate: Ms. Felinda S. Balazon
felinda.balazon@pitahc.gov.ph
local 303
Finance Division
Member: Ms. Arian S. Daga
arian.daga@pitahc.gov.ph
local 306
Alternate: Ms. Lourdes B. Villareal
lourdes.villareal@pitahc.gov.ph
local 306
Management Services Division
Member: Mr. Jose Jake L. Padilla
josejake.padilla@pitahc.gov.ph
local 301
Alternate: Mr. Vincent Patrick T. Albestros
vincentpatrick.albestros@pitahc.gov.ph
local 301
Marketing and Business Development Division
Member: Mr. Jerome M. Tumambing
jerome.tumambing@pitahc.gov.ph
local 201
Alternate: Ms. Sheila V. Patiño
sheila.patino@pitahc.gov.ph
local 201
Cagayan Valley HPP
Member: Dr. Abelardo P. Bas-Ong
abelardo.basong@pitahc.gov.ph
(078)255-4269
Alternate: Ms. Leila S. Medina
leila.medina@pitahc.gov.ph
(078)255-4269
Davao HPP
Member: Ms. Ma. Elena T. Brato
maelena.brato@pitahc.gov.ph
(082)224-5322
Alternate: Ms. Kristine Liz B. Lay
kristineliz.lay@pitahc.gov.ph
(082)224-5322
Tacloban HPP
Member: Ms. Janice A. Alota
janice.alota@pitahc.gov.ph
(053)520-2703
Alternate: Ms. Joyce L. Cardenas
joyce.cardenas@pitahc.gov.ph
(053)520-2703
PITAHC Employees Association Representative
Member: Ms. Jeraldine M. Cion
jeraldine.cion@pitahc.gov.ph
local 308
Alternate: Ms. Gerlie E. Sombilon
gerlie.sombilon@pitahc.gov.ph
(082)224-5322
Secretariat (SOO III)
Member: Mr. Jan Cedrick A. Luib
jancedrick.luib@pitahc.gov.ph
local 202
Alternate: Ms. Lydia M. Querimit
lydia.querimit@pitahc.gov.ph
local 103
For the complete list of GAD Focal Point System members including regional HPP representatives, please refer to PITAHC Order No. 2025-253.
GAD Knowledgebase
- Safe Space Act (R.A. 1131) - Legislation ensuring safe spaces free from gender-based harassment and discrimination
- National Women's Day (R.A. 6949) - Recognition and celebration of women's contributions to society and development
- Prohibition on Discrimination Against Women (R.A. 6724) - Legal protection against discriminatory practices targeting women
- Magna Carta of Women (R.A. 9710) - Comprehensive women's human rights law protecting and promoting women's welfare
- Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act (R.A. 7610) - Protection of children from various forms of abuse, exploitation, and discrimination
- Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (R.A. 9208) - Prevention and suppression of trafficking in persons, especially women and children
- Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 (R.A. 9262) - Protection of women and children from all forms of violence and abuse
- Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (R.A. 7877) - Prohibition and penalization of sexual harassment in various settings
- The Anti-Rape Law of 1997 (R.A. 8353) - Enhanced penalties and expanded definition of rape crimes
- The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (R.A. 10354) - Promotion of responsible parenthood and reproductive health rights
