GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE

JO MARK M.  LIBRE

JO MARK M. LIBRE

Abstract

The paper analyzed the mainstreaming implementation of GAD
in barangay governance. With this, it addressed gender and
development problems to mainstream GAD policy by acknowledging the
role of the government especially its leadership in the delivery of GAD
services and involvement of the civil society. This study used the
descriptive method of research to describe the demographic profile of
the respondents, their level of knowledge and level of implementation
on RA 7192. The respondents of this study were the barangay councils
and their respective officials from the barangays’ Local Government Unit
of Cagayan de Oro. Thirty (30) barangays were drawn at random and
240 barangay officials served as respondents. Data analyses were
achieved using simple descriptive statistics as well as application of
regression analysis to associate the level of knowledge of the barangay
officials towards the level of implementation of the said policy. As a
result, there are no significant predictors for GAD policy implementation.
The indicated four predictors did not form a significant set of predictors
for GAD policy implementation. In spite of this, the data also clear that
the knowledge of the barangay officials is a good predictor for GAD
policy implementation. The socio-economic characteristics of the
barangays significantly illustrate the current status of the barangays.
Relatively, the level of information of the barangay officials reveals that
most of them have a low level of knowledge about GAD provisions. As
general conclusion, in order that the fundamental rights and welfare of
women must at all times be upheld, the LGU of Cagayan de Oro
through the Barangay level, shall observe the full implementation of the
foregoing policy and develop a strategic gender and development
capability enhancement agenda particularly on the welfare of women.

KEY WORDS: Gender and Development (GAD), Mainstreaming, Level
of Knowledge, Level of Implementation, Implementation Issues, and
Governance