CEDAW/C/PHI/5-6 allocated for GAD programs, projects and activities. A total of 214 local government units submitted their GAD plans with a total allocation for GAD programs, projects and activities amounting to P113.25 million. As of October 2001, 130 agencies had submitted their GAD plans and budget with a total GAD budget allocation of PhP2.8 billion. NCRFW has yet to conduct a thorough evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of the use of the GAD budget. Results of GAD Planning and Budgeting 113. In almost eight years of implementation of GAD planning and budgeting, the following gains in addressing the concerns of Filipino women were noted (NCRFW 2002b). The GAD plans and budgets a. Became the basis for women to lobby and negotiate with government for GAD programs, projects and activities, and adequate resource allocation; b. Mainstreamed gender issues and concerns in government’s resource allocation system; c. Focused attention on GAD as a government agenda; d. Forced agencies and local government units to look at the gender dimension and impact of their programs, projects and activities; e. Clarified the roles of oversight agencies in gender mainstreaming; f. Strengthened the NCRFW as the authority on women’s concerns since it provides policy direction and technical assistance on the process, monitors implementation, and recommends measures to further improve it and make it responsive to women’s needs; and g. Served as a model for other marginalized sectors, such as the elderly, the differently-abled and the indigenous people on how to negotiate with government for resources to carry out specific programs for specific sectors. IV. REMAINING ISSUES AND OBSTACLES CONFRONTING FILIPINO WOMEN 114. As indicated in Part I of this report, there have indeed been significant developments in the Philippine effort to mobilize an increasing number of government and non-government institutions towards a more gender responsive society. These efforts are bearing fruits albeit at a gradual and steady pace. There are, however, bigger and more challenging tasks ahead. To date, the Philippines continues to struggle with a number of important women’s issues, among which are: a. 42 Massive poverty and inequality in the ownership of economic resources. This refers mainly to the concentration of wealth among a few and the disparity in the situation of women in urban and rural areas (poverty, literacy, health, social support systems) as a result of uneven distribution of resources and opportunities and the devolution of functions without corresponding resources from central government to local governments. There is a continuing need for more effective poverty alleviation strategies to aid women living in poverty in urban and rural areas, including women in the informal sector who are known to suffer from lack of support systems (such as social security and health insurance) for both their productive and reproductive work.