GAD Database System

Preface

In adherence to the guidelines set forth in the PCW-DILG-NEDA-DBM-JMC No. 2013-01: Guidelines on the Localization of the Magna Carta of Women, the Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB) has successfully established its Gender and Development (GAD) Database System. This initiative represents a pivotal step in ensuring that gender-responsive planning, programming, and policy formulation is underpinned by reliable and comprehensive sex-disaggregated data. Such data is essential for identifying gender gaps, evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, and driving progress toward gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The GAD indicators outlined in JMC No. 2013-01 consist of 426 sex-disaggregated data (SDD) sets. However, as of September 13, 2021, when the management of the GAD database was formally transferred to the PPDO, only 176 indicators—or 41.31%—were available and generated at the provincial level. Recognizing that many of these indicators could be sourced at the municipal and city levels, Governor Daniel R. Fernando, on March 29, 2022, issued a directive to all mayors, through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices (MSWDOs) and Gender and Development Focal Points (GFPS), requesting the submission of their respective GAD datasets for consolidation. Despite this, as of March 2023, only seven Local Government Units (LGUs) had submitted reports, which were incomplete, lacked sex disaggregation, and did not fully adhere to the indicators prescribed by JMC No. 2013-01.

To address these gaps, the PPDO has spearheaded the development of an open-source database application. This system is designed to generate and manage the GAD indicators specified in JMC No. 2013-01 at both municipal and city levels. In parallel, the PPDO has also requested the submission of SDD statistics for all provincial offices in 2023 to further enrich the GAD dataset at the provincial level.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Governor Daniel R. Fernando, Vice Governor Alexis Castro, and the Board Members for their invaluable support in the establishment of the GAD Database. Our sincere appreciation also goes to the mayors, planners, and counterparts at the LGUs, as well as the national agencies and provincial offices, for their unwavering cooperation in contributing annual GAD statistics to this system. Their collective efforts demonstrate a shared commitment to advancing gender equality and ensuring that the GAD Database accurately represents the needs and realities of communities across the province.

The GAD Database System will feature two main components: the Provincial GAD Dataset and the Cities/Municipalities GAD Datasets. To ensure its continued relevance and accuracy, the database will undergo annual updates, guaranteeing that it remains a dynamic tool for guiding data-driven policy decisions and interventions.

Looking ahead, the PGB reaffirms its dedication to sustaining an updated and reliable GAD Database. In the near future, the system will be made publicly accessible, fostering greater transparency and enabling a wide range of stakeholders—including researchers, policymakers, and advocates—to engage with the data. Through these efforts, the PGB aims to build a more inclusive and equitable society, empowering individuals and communities to thrive.