by:
Editha T. Gamus
1989
Establishment of Day Care and Breastfeeding Center - In April 1989, CSC
established the Commission Day Care Center where employees children are entrusted
to a caregiver whenever they cannot be left home. A play-study method is used
where children can enjoy the amenities provided by the Commission. Other agencies
were encouraged to put up their own day-care centers.
Flexible Working Hours - With the issuance of CSC Memo Circular No. 14 in 1989, a
full flexi-time schedule was adopted. This working arrangement allows employees to
start and end work at a time convenient to them provided that the same shall not be
prejudicial to the prompt and efficient delivery of service.
1990
Equality Advocates - In 1990, the Commission implemented the EQUALITY
ADVOCATES program or EQUADS. The EQUADS program promotes equality of
treatment and opportunities in the workplace by eliminating discrimination due to
gender, ethnic or social origin, religious belief, physical disability or political affiliation.
Trained Equality Advocates were appointed in 1991 in the 14 administrative regions of
the country. These EQUADS look into cases of discrimination, answer queries, offer
advice and provide counseling to aggrieved employees.
1991
Modified maternity Leaves - As stipulated in CSC Memo Circular No. 17 series of
1991, the Maternity Leave Law was modified to allow a woman the option to return
to her work before the expiration of her two-month leave. The adjustment allow her
to receive the benefits granted under the Maternity Leave Law and the salary for
actual services rendered effective the day she reports for work.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7192 - Women in Development and Nation Building Act which
promotes the integration of women as full and equal partners of men in development
and nation building and for other purposes was passed by the Congress of Philippines
on December 11, 1991, and was approved by President Corazon Aquino on February
12, 1992.
1994
Issuance of Policy on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace - In 1994, the CSC
promulgated CSC Memo Circular No. 19. The circular defines sexual harassment and
characterized it as an administrative office of either Grave Misconduct Prejudicial to
Flexible Work to the Best Interest of the Service or Simple Misconduct.
Checklist of Reasonable Working Conditions - With the support of public sector
unions, the Commission embarked on Project Talaan. The output of the activity was a
list of reasonable working conditions that enhance employee productivity.
1995
Career Advancement Program for Women in Government Service (CAPWINGS) CSC took active part in implementing CAPWINGS, a program that seeks to promote
the advancement of women in government through a three-pronged strategy;
capability-building and advocacy; policy strengthening and/or development; and
enhancement of support mechanisms.
Executive No, 273- Signed on September 8, 1995 by President Fidel V. Ramos. It
approves and adopts the Philippines Plan for Gender-responsive development
(PPGD), 1985-2025 which promotes women’s economic empowerment and genderresponsive governance. It also protects and advances women’s rights.
1996
Special Leave Privileges - CSC Memo Circular No. 6 series of 1996 granted
employees special leave privileges to enable them to attend milestones of their lives
such as graduation, enrollment, wedding/anniversary, birthday, hospitalization,
funeral/mourning and relocation.
Paternity Leave Act of 1996 /REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8187 - To compliment women's
maternity leave, the Joint CSC-DOH Memo Circular No. 1 issues in 1996 was passed.
The privilege is granted to a married male employee allowing him to take a leave for
seven days with pay to enable him to lend support and care for his wife in her period
of recovery, either after delivery or miscarriage, and in taking care of the newly-born.
1998
Republic Act No. 8551 –Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of
1998 was signed on February 25, 1998. It strengthens the National Police Commission
(NAPOLCOM) and the People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) It also created the
Internal Affairs Service of the PNP and provided the creation of Women's Desks in all
police stations throughout the country.
Primer on Women in Government Service - Developed in 1998, it was disseminated
to various government agencies and Gender and Development Focal persons in the
regions to provide information of the plans, policies and programs on social benefits,
privileges and career opportunities for government workers, specifically women.
1999
Equal Representation of Men and Women in Third Level Posts - CSC issued Memo
Circular No. 8 series of 1999 or the Policy of Equal Representation of Women and Men
in Third Level Positions in Government to promote gender equality at all levels of
positions in the civil service.
Directory of Women on the Move - Implemented in conjunction with the National
Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW), the Directory is a compilation
of organized and strategic information about qualified women candidates for
vacancies in the Cabinet and other executive positions.
2001
Administrative Disciplinary Rules on Sexual Harassment Cases - Considered a
landmark issuance of the CSC, the new rules provide for the consistent and uniform
rules of procedure in investigating, prosecuting and resolving sexual harassment
cases in government offices.
Women Executives Against Graft (WAG) - A network of women occupying seniorlevel managerial positions in government, the group was formed during a women's
forum organized by the CSC, the NCRFW and the Career Service Executive Board in
celebration of Women's month. WAG aims to build a critical mass of government
offices that are graft and corruption free.
2002
Compendium of Sexual Harassment Cases - The Commission and NCRFW, with
funding support from the Canadian International Development Agency, came up with
a compendium of CSC, Court of Appeals and Supreme Court decisions on sexual
harassment cases. The publication gives readers an insight into how things stand in
administrative and judicial tribunals relative to sexual harassment.
Fighting Sexual Harassment Cases: A Manual - Another collaborative endeavor of
the CSC and NCRFW, the Manual contains the legal foundations of the anti-sexual
harassment law, administrative disciplinary rules on sexual harassment cases, general
principles in resolving such cases and step-by-step procedures in handling complaints.
2002
RA 8972 or the Solo Parent’s Welfare Act of 2000 - Signed into law on November 7,2000
and took effect on November 28, 2000 and its implementing rules and regulations was
approved on April 2002. It is an Act that provides for benefits and privileges to solo parents
and their children, appropriating funds therefore and for other purposes. It aims to
develop a comprehensive package of social development and welfare services to solo
parents and their children to be carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (lead agency), various government agencies and other related NGOs.
GAD Perspective in Government Exams - CSC-administered examinations integrated
GAD perspective using the indirect approach where textual references pertaining to
gender issues and concerns are incorporated. The use of non-sexist language forms an
integral component of the integration. A quick reference guide was prepared by CSC to
further advocate the use of gender-fair language in correspondences, memoranda and
other official communications.
2003
Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003/Republic Act No. 9208 - Signed last May 26,
2003.It gives highest priority to the enactment of measures and development of
programs that will promote human dignity, protect the people from any threat of
violence and exploitation, eliminate trafficking in persons, and mitigate pressures for
involuntary migration and servitude of persons, not only to support trafficked persons
but more importantly, to ensure their recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into
the mainstream of society.
Communication Support Materials - In support to its anti-sexual harassment
advocacy, the Commission produced and disseminated a primer on Administrative
Disciplinary Rules on Sexual harassment as well as posters, comic books and stickers
which aim to provide basic information and orient the public of their rights and
responsibilities.
2004
Grant of Parental Leave to Solo Parents - As a policy support to the Solo Parents Welfare Act
of 2000, the CSC issued Memo Circular No. 8, s. 2004 which grants seven (7) days of parental
leave to solo parents in recognition of their parental responsibilities and obligations.
Seminar/Orientation for CODI Members on the Administrative Disciplinary Rules on Sexual
Harassment Cases - In April 2004, a Memorandum of Agreement was entered into by the CSC
and the Department of Education for the CSC Regional Offices to conduct training on sexual
harassment for CODI members of the DepEd’s regional/division offices.
Gender Advocacy Networking Group (GANG) - Forming part of the strengthening efforts on
GAD mainstreaming in the CSC, a core of GAD advocates was constituted in the Central and
Regional Offices. The GANG, being voluntary and official in nature, is envisioned to expand in
numbers, creating a formidable voice of people working towards the promotion of gender
2004
Republic Act No. 9262 / Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of
2004- Promulgated on March 08, 2004. It declared that the State values the dignity of
women and children and guarantees full respect for human rights. The State also
recognizes the need to protect the family and its members particularly women and
children, from violence and threats to their personal safety and security. Towards this
end, the State shall exert efforts to address violence committed against women and
children in keeping with the fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the
Constitution and the Provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination Against Women,
Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international human rights
instruments of which the Philippines is a party.
2004
MEDIUM TERM PHILIPPINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2004-2010- A detailed roadmap towards
achieving our common goal of reducing poverty through job creation and enterprise. After
enumerating the Basic Tasks or 10-Point Agenda laid out by the President, it lays out the current
macroeconomic situation then moves on to the fighting targets:
GDP growth accelerating to 7-8% by the years 2009 and 2010
An investment to GDP ratio nearing 28% by 2010
Exports exceeding $50 billion by 2006
A balanced budget by 2010
Annual job creation exceeding 1.7 million jobs by 2009
And poverty incidence reduced to below 20% by 2009
With the successful implementation of this Plan, we are also likely to achieve the country’s
commitments to the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations.
Part 1: Economic Growth and Job Creation
Part 2. Energy
Part 3. Social Justice and Basic Needs
Part 4. Education and Youth Opportunity
Part 5: Anti-Corruption and Good Governance
2006
Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)/ Republic Act No.
9501 –It promotes, supports, strengthens and encourages the growth and
development of MSMEs in all productive sectors of the economy particularly
rural/agri-based enterprises. The State shall recognize the specific needs of the
MSMEs and shall recognize the specific needs of the MSMEs and shall undertake to
promote entrepreneurship, support entrepreneurs, encourage the establishments of
MSMEs and ensure their continuing viability and growth and thereby attain
countryside industrialization by:
2006
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as Beneficiaries. - MSMEs shall be
defined as any business activity or enterprise engaged in industry, agribusiness and/or
services, whether single proprietorship, cooperative, partnership or corporation
whose total assets, inclusive of those arising from loans but exclusive of the land on
which the particular business entity's office, plant and equipment are situated, must
have value falling under the following categories:
micro:
not more than
P3,000,000
small:
P3,000,001 -
15,000,000
medium:
P15,000,001 -
P1000,000,000
2009
Magna Carta of Women -Republic Act 9710 banning discrimination against women,
and recognizing and protecting their rights was signed last August 14, 2009.The
Magna Carta of Women ensures the equitable participation and representation of
women in government, political parties, the civil service and the private sector. It also
mandates the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Social
Welfare and Development to strengthen the delivery of services to women migrant
workers abroad. Moreover, under RA 9710, the National Commission on the Role of
Filipino Women is renamed the Philippine Commission for Women, the primary
policy-making and coordinating body for women and gender equality concerns.
REMAINING CHALLENGES
The government must accord priority in providing more funds for making national
statistics gender-sensitive and gender-responsive
More inter-agency effort on APEC concerns for women’s economic development
Need to intensify efforts in mainstreaming gender in trade, finance, trade related
aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS), and SME agendas
REMAINING CHALLENGES
Decent pay and decent work for local women workers, including having more secure
jobs rather than work in the informal sector
Human resource development and labor laws/ protection for emerging areas of
employment in the region must be looked into
Need for continuing institutionalization of GAD planning in all levels of government
The end