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THE Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) touted the release of a care economy policy framework, which mostly involve women, in the first half of 2025.

Unpaid care work covers various responsibilities — from cooking, laundry, household maintenance, childcare, emotional support and relational concerns, elderly or sick/disabled care to voluntary community work.

“In the first part of 2025, you will hear more from us about this because we plan to establish a care economy policy framework and enact legislation for it,” PWC Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Although this is essential for functional households and societies, these were carried out predominantly by women and girls for an average of 13 hours per day, which the pandemic increased.

Meanwhile, PCW also raised that 109 government agencies and departments underutilized their Gender and Development (GAD) budget last year.

The GAD budget directs all government departments and agencies to allocate a minimum of 5% of their annual budgets for gender programs, projects, and activities.

“Currently, 246 government agencies are using their GAD budget, while 109 agencies are strengthening their efforts to meet the standards of effective GAD budget utilization,” Ms. Valdeavilla said.

Among the reasons cited for low-spending agencies is the lack of tenured employees dedicated to handling GAD plan.

In 2023, P807.64 billion, or 23% of the budget of government agencies including state universities and colleges was allocated for GAD. However, actual GAD utilization stands at P442.5 billion or 13%.

Meanwhile, 76 agencies have not yet submitted their budget plan this year, Anita E. Baleda, Chief Gender and Development Specialist of the Policy Development, Planning, and Monitoring and Evaluation Division of PCW said.

When asked for the 2024 GAD report, Ms. Valdeavilla said it was not yet finished. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

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