MANILA (September 25) – The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) has issued an advise warning government agencies that diverting the Gender and Development (GAD) budget to non-GAD initiatives, as well as pooling funds via unlawful directives, are absolutely banned.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the Commission stated that Advisory No. 2025-01 was issued to correct longstanding misconceptions about the use of GAD funds, which are authorized by the Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act 9710) and the General Appropriation Act.
Under RA 9710, all government agencies, local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and constitutional bodies must provide at least 5% of their entire budget to gender-responsive programs and services.
The PCW highlighted that the GAD budget is not a separate or discretionary fund, but rather a component of an agency’s total budget, and it should only be utilized for activities directly addressing gender issues identified through thorough gender analysis and supported by sex-disaggregated data.
Guidelines on GAD planning and budgeting can only be issued by PCW, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Economic Planning and Development (DEPDev), according to the advisory.
External earmarking or pooling of resources by instructions from other entities is expressly prohibited.
PCW Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla stated that the measure increases public resource safeguards while also advancing gender equality.
“The GAD budget is not a discretionary fund but a safeguard for women’s rights and empowerment. By barring diversion and unauthorized pooling, we protect these funds from misuse and ensure that every peso goes to programs that uplift women and advance gender equality,” she added.
“This is how we contribute to Bagong Pilipinas—with integrity, transparency, and accountability,” Valdeavilla noted.
The PCW further cautioned agencies that noncompliance could result in audit disallowances, administrative sanctions, or even criminal culpability, as heads and personnel are directly responsible for misusing funds.
To guarantee transparency, agencies must continue to disclose their GAD plans and budgets, as well as GAD accomplishment reports.
In Advisory No. 2025-01, the PCW reiterated its responsibility to enforce the Magna Carta of Women, while also harmonizing with the government’s broader goal for inclusive and responsible governance.
