GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT (GAD) AUDIT IN STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN CALABARZON: INPUT TO AN INTERVENTION PROGRAM

This study aimed to audit the extent of implementation of Gender and Development (GAD) among the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in CALABARZON and develop GAD Intervention Program as a research output.This research was conducted in State Universities and Colleges in CALABARZON specifically at the Batangas State University, Cavite State University, Laguna State Polytechnic University, Southern Luzon State University, and University of Rizal System . The respondents were composed of 150 selected faculty, staff, personnel, GAD coordinators, budget officers, planning officers, administrators, and students for the extent of GAD implementation and auditors for an interview pertaining to GAD Plan and Budget and Accomplishment Report.The study focused on the extent of GAD implementation among the SUCs in CALABARZON with respect to GAD programs and project, advocacy and awareness, human resource management, organizational culture, curriculum and instruction, research, extension program, network and linkages, budgeting and monitoring and evaluation system. Descriptive evaluative research method through questionnaire- checklist and an interview schedule were utilized.It was found out that the extent of GAD implementation among the SUCs in CALABARZON with respect to programs and project, advocacy and awareness, human resource management, organizational culture, curriculum and instruction, research, extension program, network and linkages, budgeting and monitoring and evaluation system were often implemented among the SUCs in CALABARZON.There is a significant difference in terms of GAD programs and projects, human resource management, curriculum and instruction, research, and monitoring and evaluation system among the SUCs in the CALABARZON. Most of the problems met in the GAD implementation were serious as depicts on the top three serious problems from seventeen problems and these are; lack of recreation center for men/women, there is no day care center for employees’ children and unaware on the inclusion of GAD gender fair activities in the curriculum while unequal representation of women and men in posting pictures at the bulletin of information and misrepresentation of women and men in the list of participants in meetings and events were the slightly serious problems met among the SUCs in CALABARZON. There is uniformity on the gender concerns with regards to the GAD implementation among the SUCs in CALABARZON and these are led by bringing out the Gender Sensitivity Training to community clientele, establish a network to facilitate complementarity of action on Violence Against Women (VAW), implementation of Anti-Sexual Harassment Act and address other forms of violence against women in the workplace and fair practices in the field of administration of justice and peace giving deprived women equal opportunities and treatment in terms of job hiring and work assignments.The study discovered that based on the findings, the extent of GAD implementation in all aspects was generally evaluated as often , thus it was concluded that the SUCs in CALABARZON have frequent practices on Gender and Development (GAD).The GAD implementation with respect to GAD programs and projects, human resource management, curriculum and instruction, research, and monitoring and evaluation system were generally different with the advocacy and awareness, organizational culture, extension program, network and linkages and GAD budgeting practices among the SUCs in CALABARZON.With the various serious problems met among the SUCs in the CALABARZON it is therefore concluded that the GAD realization in different aspects have not yet been fully recognized. The SUCs in the CALABARZON were very concern in the implementation of Gender and Development (GAD) programs, projects and activities. It is also concluded that the SUCs were open for change when GAD is concerned. Based on the result of an interview conducted to the auditors, they agreed that the budget was allotted but a minimal percentage was utilized for GAD program, activities and projects. The auditors followed the process based on the budget call from university GAD Plan and Budget to Commission on Higher Education Central Office to the Philippine Commission on Women for endorsement to the Department of Budget and Management. However, there is no extra payment in auditing the GAD funds. Special Trust Fund and other income were the sources of GAD funds which were utilized in programs, activities and projects related to GAD issues and in maintenance and other operating expenses.It was recommended that the Gender and Development in State Universities and Colleges in CALABARZON must give priority on Research and ensure that GAD implementation should always be monitored and evaluated. They must train people who can be an expert in GAD programs and projects, human resource management, curriculum and instruction, research, and monitoring and evaluation system. They need to establish an Office of GAD Program Director to institutionalize the GAD Program and discuss the problems met by the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) concerned with the implementing GAD agency. They should always provide an orientation on gender related laws. And a follow-up study in the GAD implementation in State University and Colleges (SUCs) be conducted in other regions of the Philippines after the adaptation of GAD Intervention Program to enhance the findings of this study.