Manila: The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) on Thursday recognized government agencies that have demonstrated excellence in Gender and Development (GAD) budget allocation and utilization for fiscal year 2024. PCW Chairperson Emerlita Valdeavilla highlighted the awardees' commitment to accountability, transparency, and their innovative initiatives in advancing equality and women's empowerment.

According to Philippines News Agency, PCW conferred awards to 123 government entities, including national government agencies (NGA), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and government-owned or-controlled corporations (GOCC), through the Gender Mainstreaming Monitoring System as of May 31, 2025. The recognition was based on categories such as highest GAD budget allocations, highest client-focused allocation, and highest attributed GAD expenditures, among others.

Valdeavilla emphasized the importance of ensuring that the GAD budget reaches those who need it most, without corruption. She urged the awardees to maintain their dedication to providing protection, dignity, and genuine empowerment to the most vulnerable sectors of society.

In a media interview, Valdeavilla pointed out that not all agencies submit their GAD Plan and Budget (GPB) and GAD Achievement Reports (AR) to the PCW. For the 2024 GPB submission, 34 NGAs, 57 GOCCs, and 15 SUCs did not comply, while for the 2024 GAD AR submission, 65 NGAs, 74 GOCCs, and 26 SUCs failed to meet the requirements.

Valdeavilla candidly shared that 49 agencies have never submitted a report or budget since monitoring began six years ago, highlighting the ongoing challenge of ensuring compliance and transparency across all government bodies.