CEDAW/C/PHI/5-6 comprehensive women’s health services, anchored on responsible parenthood; and (vi) improvement of food security to ensure women’s health and nutrition. On the need to increase the participation of women in political and public life “The Committee noted further with concern that despite the increased participation of women in decision-making in the public sphere in NGOs, there was still a low representation of women in politics, top levels of government, and the judiciary.” (Paragraph 22) “The Committee recommended that temporary special measures should be adapted to increase the participation of women in top-level decision making positions in the public sector.” (Paragraph 29) 39. NCRFW in partnership with various government and academic institutions conducted capability building activities for women local chief executives and local legislators. During the National Summit of Women Local Chief Executives and Councilors, the Manila Declaration was produced, which is a statement of commitment by the participants to promote women’s participation in political decision-making. 40. As a Constitutional body with oversight powers over personnel matters in the public sector, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) issued a Memorandum Circular on Equal Representation of Women and Men in Third Level Positions (or the executive level). The target is to achieve 50-50 representation of either sex across the bureaucracy. The CSC enjoined government agencies to report regularly on the number of women nominated to third level positions, total number of positions held by women and total number of women appointees versus men appointees. As of 1999, women hold 34.8 percent of the third level posts in the bureaucracy. 41. RA 8551, or the National Police Commission and Philippine National Police Reorganization Act of 1998, articulates the national policy of granting equal opportunity for women in the police bodies, preventing sexual harassment in the workplace and prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender and sexual orientation. The law specifies a ten percent quota for women in the annual recruitment, training and education programs of the Philippine National Police. 42. As discussed in Article 7, a number of Philippine laws that are directed at protecting the rights of marginalized sectors contain provisions that recognize the right of women in these sectors to participate in decision-making processes. Examples are the Indigenous People’s Rights Act of 1997 (RA 8371), which mandates the representation of indigenous women in decision-making at all levels. The Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act (RA 8425) calls for the formation of councils for the targeted basic or marginalized sector, including women as a sector, and provides a seat for a sector representative for women at the National Anti-Poverty Commission. The Fisheries Law of 1998 (RA 8850) requires that seats be reserved for women in the municipal or city fisheries and coastal resource management council. 24