CEDAW/C/SR.l79 English Page 11 (Ms. Licuanan) been considered, but at present the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women had wide-ranging powers to ensure that other government agencies acted in compliance with the Philippine Development Plan for Women: there was a danger that a separate agency for women would not have so much influence over the activities of other agencies. There was no special budget for women's issues; all government agencies were expected to ensure that their programmes benefited women as well as men, within the constraints of their existing resources. However, a country programme for women covering certain key projects had been submitted to local and foreign funding agencies for approval in April 1990; if it was approved, funds would be allocated to projects specifically for women for the first time. 71. Her Government was aware of the exploitation suffered by Philippine women working abroad, and acknowledged the need for bilateral agreements with other Governments. In some countries, such as Canada and Hong Kong, Philippine women had succeeded in forming groups to represent their interests, and conditions of work had improved as a result. 72. In theory, contraception was available to both married and unmarried women, but in practice the social pressure on unmarried women might discourage them from taking advantage of the service. 73. She did not know the penalties for illegal abortion but, as far as she was aware, it was the person who performed the abortion who was prosecuted, rather than the woman concerned. However, that increased the risk that the abortionist might act in a way detrimental to the woman's health. The meeting rose at 12.25 p.m.