CEDAW/C/PHI/Q/6 Vulnerable groups of women 24. Kindly provide information on the impact of initiatives to provide information and support services to women before they depart for overseas work, including the Migrants Advisory and Information Network and the skill and country-specific predeparture orientation programmes for overseas Philippino workers (para. 16). Please include information on the number of women benefiting from these programmes and their country of destination. 25. The report acknowledges that despite efforts by the Government to alleviate the plight of the rural poor, poverty remains a major issue confronting rural women (para. 524). Please provide data on rural women living in poverty and information on the impact of the Local Government Code and other government povertyalleviation projects for rural women. 26. The report mentions a bill pending in the House of Representatives that seeks to protect and promote the rights of rural women by recognizing the roles and contributions of rural women to the country’s economic development and food security and offers measures to enhance and develop their skills, provide employment and enable them to contribute to their communities to the fullest of their capabilities (para. 511 (d)). Kindly provide information on the status of this bill and describe what specific measures have been taken to implement it. 27. The report mentions that the implementation of the Indigenous People’s Rights Act, which provides equality between indigenous women and men in connection with rights and opportunities in various spheres of life, and participation of indigenous women in decision-making process in all levels, has encountered serious obstacles due to dispute over ancestral lands (para. 511 (c)). Kindly provide information on measures taken to remove the obstacles and the progress made with regard to its implementation. 28. Please report on the situation of rural and indigenous women’s access to agricultural credits and loans, marketing facilities, training and education and participation at village decision-making level. 29. Please provide information on the situation of older women, including the impact of migration on them, and indicate what specific measures are in place to address the situation of older women, particularly in rural areas. Optional Protocol 30. Please provide information about steps taken to make the Optional Protocol, which the Philippines ratified in 2003, more widely known. 5