Research and Analysis Journals 7(12): 06-22, 2024

e-ISSN: 2589-9228, p-ISSN: 2589-921x

© 2024, RAJ

Research Article

Five to Five: Sex-Disaggregated Issues in Bicol Region (V), Philippines

Through the Lens of SDG 5
Dennis N. Rañon
Assistant Professor, Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges

Abstract:
The paper examines the sex-disgregated issues affecting men and women in Bicol Region (5), Philippines, through the lens of
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5) indicators. Utilizing qualitative-evaluative research methodologies such as comparative
data analysis and documentary analysis, the study analyzes data from various government agencies to identify persistent gender
disparities in labor market participation, health, and political representation. Findings revealed that significant challenges remain
unsolved despite gradual improvements in women's engagement in public life, including cultural barriers, income inequalities, and
limited access to leadership roles. The paper emphasizes the necessity of generating sex-disaggregated data to inform policy-making
and recommends that Local Government Units, NGOs, and private sectors institutionalize SDG localization to address identified
issues effectively. The study also advocates for inclusive policies that promote gender equality and enhance women's societal roles,
contributing to a more equitable and harmonious society.

Keywords: Localization of SDG 5, Sex-disggregated data, Bicol Region, Philippines, Gender mainstreaming

Introduction:
In our country, the Philippines, before reaching 18 years of age, 16.5% of women from 20-24 years old were already married. The
birth rate in 2017 fell 39% and the adolescent birth rate 2018 was 36.4 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19. Women comprised 39% of
total employment in 2019 but will account for 45% of global job losses in 2020. Women held 28% of legislative seats in February
2021. Under the SDG indicator, 66.7 percent of legal frameworks that promote, implement, and monitor gender equality are in
place, with an emphasis on violence against women. 5.9 percent of women aged 15 to 49 reported physical and/or sexual violence
in the preceding year in 2018. Furthermore, rights to reproductive health and other health-related services are still being confronted
with issues and challenges.
As of December 2020, just 48.3 percent of the indicators needed to monitor the SDGs from a gender perspective were available,
with deficiencies in essential categories such as unpaid care and domestic Work and key labor market indicators such as the gender
pay gap. Furthermore, in many areas, such as gender and poverty, physical and sexual harassment, women's access to assets
(including land), and gender and the environment, there are no similar mechanisms for frequent monitoring. Closing gender data
gaps is crucial for the Philippines to meet SDG gender targets. From 2014 to 2018, the Philippines was the only Asian country to
rank among the top ten in the Global Gender Gap Index. The index study aims to investigate gender equality by rating nations based
on how well they allocate their resources and opportunities among their male and female populations. Given this, can we declare
that all gender and sexual issues in the Philippines have been identified and addressed? Were the GAD policies aligned with the
national and local processes for efficient and effective implementation? Were the mechanisms for addressing gender and sex issues
sustainable? Women in the Philippines are still underprivileged, as marginalized sectors in the country are still invisible, and policies
and programs with indigenous and rural women are the most vulnerable. Access to basic reproductive health services and maternal
and infant mortality is one of our country's greatest challenges in the healthcare sector. Unmet health and reproductive care needs
have long been a source of concern, not only in cities but also in rural communities. Social, economic, and political changes for the
excluded are almost unattainable, and suspects are bleak. Every day, eleven women are killed as a result of pregnancy and childbirth
complications. Despite progress, women's political representation remains low: 20% of women control less than congressional seats
and 13% of Senate seats.
Cole et al. (2015) concluded that in traditional rural communities such as the Bicol region, men's physical capacity to conduct Work
equates to economic production. "Grit" and "toughness," particularly in fishing and agricultural communities such as the Bicol
region, provide simple access to accessible natural resources (Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005; Turgo, 2014). As per Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA) data, it can be concluded that the Bicol region has one of the greatest gender disparities in the country,
along with ARMM, Ilocos, CAR, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
In the Population projection from 2020-2045, the Bicol region was hailed as one of the highest increases with 9,730 (in thousands)
compared to its other traditional communities thus, this data could signify the inaccessibility of women to proper health care,

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contraceptives, and appropriate maternal care. Regarding the labor force participation rate from 2013-2017, the Bicol region falls
short of the national average with 60.71% vs. 61.2% national average. The labor force has always been a turf for men compared to
women, with a 77.34% average (Men) versus a 47.24% average (Women). More men have more job opportunities, and economic
participation for women has been tirelessly an issue for many long years. With these identified sex-disaggregated issues, one should
wonder whether GAD strategies and development plans are religiously followed and implemented. How would we, as beneficiaries,
stakeholders, and implementers, benefit from the outcome of this development principle? Are the SDG 5 indicators being
implemented and/or integrated at the local/national level?
The data presented in this was anchored to the 2000-2021 Statistical Handbook on Women and Men in Region 5 from the Philippine
Statistics Authority, which presents gender statistics and sex-disaggregated issues in the various priority areas in the Bicol region.
The PSA RO 5 aspires to support the state's endeavors to advance gender mainstreaming and fulfill our country's various
international gender goals.

Statement of the Problem

This paper sought to understand and explain the following objectives:
1. Identify the sex-disaggregated issues of Bicol Region (V) along:
a. Work;
b. Health and Family Planning;
c. Economic Participation;
d. Public Life.
2. Analyze identified sex-disaggregated issues vis-à-vis SDG 5 targets;
3. Propose recommendations to address the identified sex-disaggregated issues and to strengthen SDG localization.
Limitations:
This paper is delimited to the 200-2021 Statistical WAM data (Women and Men) Handbook of PSA Region 5. The statistical WAM
data 2022 has not yet been published in the PSA publications since the final quarter reports have not been collated. This study shall
only focus on some of the priority sectors named by PSA, such as Work, health and family planning, economic participation, and
public life. Utilizing data provided by the WAM, an analysis of the vis-à-vis SDG 5 indicators will be presented. In terms of its
implementation, localization of indicators, issues/causes of variance, and pragmatic solutions to address identified gaps in sex and
gender issues, as well as SDG 5 target implementation. This paper wishes to contribute to the growing Number of literature and
solution-based studies on the appropriate localization process of SDG indicators, specifically gender equality and women
empowerment.
Research methodology:
This study employed qualitative-evaluative research methodologies. In identifying the sex-disaggregated issues of women and men
in the Region, comparative data analysis of various government agencies from its published data analytics were culled out and
compared over different years. Secondary sources of data from government agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH),
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
Commission on Audit (COA) etc., were utilized from its website publications, news articles, related studies, and related literature.
The identified sex-disaggregated issues of women and men were then thematically analyzed using the SDG 5 indicators per United
Nation's mandate on gender equality. Tabular presentations were evident, emphasizing the SDG 5 indicators with the identified sex-
disaggregated issues in the Region; thus, discussions were enhanced through related studies and literature.

Results and discussion:

1. The sex-disaggregated issues of women and men in Bicol Region along:
a. Work
During the past 3 decades, the participation of women in the labor market has risen dramatically. This could signify the strong
partnership and equitable working environment of both men and women in the work sector; however, there are still unrecognized
and specific sex and gender issues in formal and informal sectors of the labor market that need to be addressed.
In October 2020, the Bicol Region had a labor force of 2.3 million people, but only about a third of them are women, with a
participation rate of 44 percent compared to 74 %. Women comprised only 39% of the 2.4 million working people during the same
period.
From 2004 to 2020, men in the Region were still more economically involved than women. In 2020, over 74% of men aged 15 and
up were employed, compared to 44% of women. Women have a lower employment-to-population ratio, indicating gender
inequalities in job status. A fact that can be concluded is that women do almost all of the household work. (Please see Fig. 1)

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Labor Force Participation rate 2004-2020

Labor Force Participation Rate Unemployment Rate Employment- Population Ratio Labor Force (Thousands

1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Men Women Women Women Men Men Women Men Women Men Women Men
2006 2009 2015 2018 2019 2020

Figure1. Labor force participation rate, 2004-2020

Women participate in the labor force at a substantially lower rate than men. Women's labor-force involvement continues to climb
with age, peaking in the 45-54 age group. Childbearing may be a substantial impediment to women's labor force participation. On
the other hand, men's involvement begins at a younger age and continues to be high until they reach the age of 55-64. (Please see
Fig. 2)

150 98
96 95 90
77
In Percent

100 62 57 68 65
49
30 34
50

0
15-24 YRS. OLD25-34 YRS. OLD 35-44 YEARS 45-54 YEARS 56-64 YEARS 65 AND OVER
OLD OLD OLD
Age Group

Men Women
Figure2. Labor participation per age group
From 2006 to 2020, women accounted for less than a third of overall employment in the Bicol Region. In 2017, men accounted for
around 64% of all pay, salary, and own-account workers. Women are more likely than men to engage in unpaid domestic labor.
(Please see Fig. 3)

Men Women
800
600
400
200
0
Wage and Salary Own-account Workers Unpaid family wokers
Workers
Figure3. Employed Men and Women by Class of Worker
In the Region, women continue to dominate private household activities. In private residences in 2009, there were 7 women for

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every man. Women primarily worked in the health and social services, commerce, the hotel and restaurant industries, and education.
Men still dominate the industry. Men comprised around 72 percent of the workforce in the construction, gas, and water industries,
mining, manufacturing, and quarrying. Men outnumbered women in agriculture three to one, but women dominated white-collar
jobs. (Please see Fig. 4a and 4b)

Women men
120 100
100 88.1
70.9 70 69.6
In Percent

80 58.3 62.2 62.9

53.646.4 55.8
60 41.7 44.2 37.8 37.1
40 29.1 30 30.4
11.9
20 0
0

Figure4a. Distribution of Workers by Major Occupation, 2009

women men
120 100 98.7
100 80 83.9
69.9 73.8
In Percent

80 59.9
57.9 51.648.4 55.1
60 42.1 44.9 40.1
40 30.1 26.2
20 16.1
20 0 1.3
0

Figure4b. Distribution of Workers by Major Occupation, 2017

Women outnumber males in white-collar jobs in the Bicol Region. In the professional occupation group in 2020, there were about
two women for every man. Men, on the other hand, preferred expert labor. Similarly, farming, forestry, and fishing remained men's
domains. (Please see Fig. 5)

Figure5. Distribution of workers by group, 2020

Women outnumber men in terms of earning a livelihood abroad. There has been a 10% difference in Bicolano Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFWs) than their counterparts in 2018. Women began to outnumber men working abroad in 2013. This is because there

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Dennis N. Rañon / Five to Five: Sex-Disaggregated Issues in Bicol Region (V), Philippines Through the Lens Of SDG 5
is a greater demand for domestic assistants, nurses, and carers, all of whom are dominated by women. (Please see Fig. 6)

2017 33.0
53.4
2013 31.0
47.2
2008 34.8
35.9
Year

2004 16.0
16.3
2002 16.1
17.7
1997 15.4
12.5

0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0

in thousand

Men Women Linear (Women)

Figure6. Men and Women Overseas Filipino Workers,1997-2017
Women comprised 57.8 percent of employed college graduates and 60% of employed college undergraduates in Region V in 2017,
accounting for more than half of all working college graduates. More than one-third of female workers have completed junior high
school, compared to 64.1 percent of male workers. (Please see Fig. 7)

Figure7. Employed women and men by highest grade completed in 2020

Through the presented sex-disaggregated data of women and men in Work as a priority sector, the following gender issues are
evident: (1) unfavorable working conditions and benefits for women, particularly production employees; (2) disparities in income
between men and women; (3) uneven possibilities for men and women in the workplace; (4) women's leadership roles in labor
unions and other organizations must be strengthened. and (5) Women's engagement in work-based organizations must be increased.
b. Health and family planning
In recent years, the country's population control policy has strongly emphasized women's reproductive health. The fact that maternal
mortality reduction is one of the SDGs has added to the urgency of this issue. Aside from being effective partners in economic
pursuits, women require extra attention to keep themselves physically and psychologically well to execute the vital job of
childbearing and raising. However, considerable Work must be done in the Bicol Region to meet the reproductive health targets for
women.
Women will outlive males from 2000 to 2025. According to National and Regional, Women have greater survival rates at younger
and older ages due to their longer life expectancy. It's also reflected in the declining male-to-female ratio as individuals age. (Please
see Fig. 8)

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Life expectancy at birth, 2000-25

In Years

74.82 76.46
71.83 73.33 72.93
68.87 70.52
66.53 68.03 67.05

YEAR 2000-05 YEAR 2005-10 YEAR 2010-15 YEAR 2015-20 YEAR 2020-25
Axis Title

Women Men Linear (Women)

Figure8, Life expectancy at birth, 2000-25
Approximately 25 children are born in every 1,000 inhabitants in the Bicol Region every year. From 2015 to 2020, the Bicol Region's
crude birth rate was projected to be 25.7 births per 1,000 residents. In comparison, the predicted crude death rate was 5.8 per 1,000
persons. The crude rate of natural increase for the same period is expected to be 20 persons per 1,000 people. (Please see Fig. 10)

Figure9. Crude death and birth rates, 2010-2025

Figure10, Infant and under five-mortality, 2013-2017

In the Bicol Region, 30 children die before reaching their first birthday for every 1,000 born alive. According to the 2017 National
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Demographic and Health Survey, the infant mortality rate in Bicol Region was 30.0 per 1,000 live births (NDHS). Approximately
38 children out of every 1,000 are born alive and die before the age of five. The most recent survey found an increase in infant
mortality in the Bicol Region compared to the previous year of the study in 2013. It should be emphasized that the infant mortality
rate in the Bicol Region was much higher than the national average. (Please see Fig. 11)

Figure11, Death by place of occurrence and by usual residence, 2018-2019

55-59 yrs
Year 2004

40-44 yrs
25-29 yrs
10-14 yrs
Under 1 year
70 yrs & over
55-59 yrs
Year 2003

40-44 yrs
25-29 yrs
10-14 yrs
Under 1 year
70 yrs & over
55-59 yrs
Year 2000

40-44 yrs
25-29 yrs
10-14 yrs
Under 1 year

0 10 20 Men 30 Women
40 50 60 70 80

Figure12, Mortality by age group, 2000-2004

Men have a shorter life expectancy than women. In 2019, men accounted for nearly 57.2 percent of all fatalities. In 2019, there were
more deaths than in 2018 and men have shorter lives than women. Men lived shorter lifetimes than women between 2000 and 2004.
Men were responsible for more than 58 percent of all deaths in 2004. The male-to-female death ratio is notably high between the
ages of 40 and 64. Women, on the other hand, account for 52 percent of deaths in the oldest age group, or 3.8 percentage points
more than men. As evidenced by the 59 percent death rate in the youngest age group, male infants die at a higher rate than female
infants. (Please see Fig. 12)
Bicol has the second-highest unmet need for family planning in the country. The total unfulfilled need for family planning in the
Bicol Region is estimated to be 33.2 percent, far higher than the national average of 22.3 percent. Unmet needs for pregnancy
regulation are the most common (22 percent), with unmet requirements for spacing births ranking fourth (10.2 percent on average).
(Please see Fig. 13)

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Figure13, Percentage of currently married women aged 15-19, 2017

Men have a shorter life expectancy than women. In 2019, men accounted for nearly 57.2 percent of all fatalities. In 2019, there were
more deaths than in 2018 and men have shorter lives than women. Men lived shorter lifetimes than women between 2000 and 2004.
Men were responsible for more than 58 percent of all deaths in 2004. The male-to-female death ratio is notably high between the
ages of 40 and 64. Women, on the other hand, account for 52 percent of deaths in the oldest age group, or 3.8 percentage points
more than men. As evidenced by the 59 percent death rate in the youngest age group, male infants die at a higher rate than female
infants.
Between 2008 and 2017, Bicolano women began sexual activity at a young age. The median age of Bicolano women during their
first sexual contact, according to the NDHS, is 21.2 years, which is a measure of a woman's vulnerability to childbirth. Consistently,
Bicol region people marry and get pregnant at a very young age. This could be due to unawareness of safe sex and contraceptives.
(Please see Fig. 14)

Fig14, Fertility indicators, 2013 and 2017

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Maternal issues are the leading cause of maternal Death in the Bicol Region. Anti-partum problems, delivery complications, and
postpartum complications accounted for 68% of all mother deaths in 2009. Thirty percent were caused by hypertension, toxemia,
and eclampsia, whereas miscarriages caused 4%. (Please see Fig. 15)
Examining sex-disaggregated data of women and men in the Bicol region, as well as health and family planning, the following
gender issues in this sector were identified: (1) the healthcare system's inability to meet women's health and reproductive needs; (2)
further improvement of nutrition and health status of children and mothers and (3) women should be encouraged to participate in
the delivery of health and nutrition services.

Complications Hypertensive disorders

related to pregnancy in pregnancy, childbirth
occuring in the and post delivery…
course of labour,
delivery and post Pregnancy with abortive…
delivery period.
66%

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, childbirth and post delivery period

Figure15, Leading causes of maternal Mortality, 2006-2015

c. Economic Participation
Women's unpaid contributions to agriculture, food production, reproduction, and home duties should be quantified concretely. The
United Nations acknowledged the need to assess and value women's unpaid labor.
In multi-purpose agricultural cooperatives, women outweigh males. On the other hand, other types of cooperatives have a higher
proportion of female members in 2020. In consumer cooperatives, women outnumbered males four to one. Women dominate five
of the Region's seven cooperative types. Except for producer and service cooperatives, women comprised most of the coop members
in the Region in 2009. (Please see Fig. 16)
Wives' incomes in the Bicol region are lower than their husbands'. More than 62 percent of regional spouses earn less than their
husbands, according to the 2017 Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), up from 59.0 percent in 2013. However, one in every
five women earns more than her husband. (Please see Fig. 17)

Figure16, Distribution of membership in cooperatives by type of cooperative, 2020

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Figure17, Wife's cash earnings compared with husband's cash earnings, 2013-2017
Women in the Bicol region have almost little control over their property. According to the 2017 National Household Survey, 40%
of women between the ages of 15 and 49 owned a home, either alone, with another person, or both. Only about 2% of women own
homes on their own, while 36.7 percent share ownership with someone else. Women accounted for 9.9% of who owned a lot and/or
a piece of land. (Please see Fig. 18)
Men still dominate the Region's highways. In 2020, 75% of licenses and permits were awarded to men. 93.8 percent of individuals
possessing a professional driver's license were men. On the other hand, there are three men for every female non-professional driver
and two men for every female student driver. (Please see Fig. 19)

Figure18, Percentage of Women by Ownership of House and Land, 2017

WOMEN AND MEN WITH LICENSES AND PERMITS ISSUED BY CLASSIFICATION, 2009 - 2020
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men
2016 2017 2019 2020

Prof Non Prof Student Conductor

Figure19, Women, and men with licenses and permits issued by classification, 2009-2020

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Women-headed families profit more on average in the Region. The median wealth of female-headed households in 2015 was
Php194,626, greater than the average income of male-headed households of Php185,230. Men continue to be the head of the family
in general. (Please see Fig. 20)

Figure20, Number of families, total income, and average income by sex of family head and income class, 2012 and 2015
In the sector of Economic Participation, these are the identified gender issues: (1) non-visibility and quantification of women's
economic contributions; (2) Women have limited access to credit; and (3) economic policies do not impact women's needs and
concerns.
d. Public life
Men continue to dominate the country's public policy and decision-making structures. Women, on the other hand, have made
advances in politics. Policies promoting women's political engagement have increasingly gained traction. Thus, women are slowly
being mainstreamed into the systems that govern society. The participation and inclusion of women in the voting process has
gradually improved. Women are increasingly being elected to public office. As a result of this situation, hopefully, new legislation
addressing women's special needs and concerns will be developed.
Women held more roles in national government entities. Women will have over 58 percent of national government seats by August
2020. Women also made up 57% of the entire government workforce in the Region. Men, on the other hand, held more posts in
municipal government than women. (Please see Fig. 21)

Figure21, Women and men government personnel by province, As of August 2020

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Women continue to dominate government career services. Women held 60.5 percent of government career positions, whereas men
held more non-career positions. For every man, there were two women in positions of influence. Approximately 67 percent of men
worked under a work order for the government. (Please see Fig. 22)
Men continue to dominate the political arena. Men comprised 74.6 percent of the successful candidates in the May 13, 2019,
elections. As indicated by a rise in the proportion of women elected in the last two national and local elections, women are gradually
entering the male-dominated arena. (Please see Fig. 23)

Figure22, proportion of women and men in government service by type, As of August 31, 2020

NUMBER OF ELECTED OFFICIALS BY SEX, 2004-2019

500
400
300
200
100
0
Women Men Women Men Women Men women men
2004 2007 2016 2019

Congressmen Governor Vice-Governor Mayor Vice- Mayor

Figure23, Number of elected officials by sex, 2004-2019

More women who have registered voters vote in elections. Women comprised 51.7 percent of the Bicol region's voter turnout in the
May 13, 2019, elections. Except for Catanduanes, where more men voted, women outnumbered men in five of the Region's
provinces. Compared to men, the province of Albay had the largest proportion of registered voters who voted. (Please see Fig. 24)

Figure24, Women and men who voted by province (Region V): May 2016 and 2019 Elections
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Summarizing the figures from the disaggregated data along the sector of public life, these are the identified gender issues: (1) At all
levels, women's involvement in decision-making operations is negligible; (2) most of the women are in the lower tiers; their
engagement declines as position levels rise and (3) Women's participation in political systems is marginalized.
2. Analysis of identified sex-disaggregated issues vis-à-vis SDG 5 indicators
a. Work
Gender subordination continues to have a significant cultural impact on the Region's socioeconomic and sociopolitical
environments. According to Elizabeth Eviota Uy, Philippine culture and society are primarily patriarchal, ignoring the potential of
girls and women and contributing significantly to gender roles. Female labor is the norm in light industries such as textiles, food
processing, handicrafts, and electronic component assembly. Women's income-generating jobs in these fields are equivalent to
domestic tasks. This is also why women fall behind men in positions of power and/or management in private and governmental
institutions. Men are regarded as the principal source of family income, and women defer to them in the most important household
and personal decisions, particularly those impacting the family's financial well-being. In any case, the husband has the last say.
In the Bicol region, Women dominate services in education, health, retail and trade, and accommodation, while men outnumber
women in agriculture, manufacturing, construction, communication, information, and technology sectors. Although men and women
have their turf of sectors that they dominate, it can be analyzed that there is gender inequality in almost every industry. Through
sex-disaggregated data, both sexes do not have an equal share of the male-female (and vice versa) population, which greatly
contributes to employment decisions, institutional policies, programs and services to be offered, the vision and mission of the sectors,
and many more. In other words, male-dominated and female-dominated sectors still do not uncover the possibilities of economic
growth and employment reform if there were an almost equal population of men and women who share work experiences, expertise,
and the labor force. The more challenging sectors can be seen lurking along the working arena of women where most of the working
female population in the Region are in the informal economy and unpaid family workers that could denote non-participation of
women to unions, social mobility, and socioeconomic protection.
Table 1. Analyses Summary
SDG 5 indicators Identified sex-disaggregated issues in the Region
Work
Recognize and value unpaid care and 1. Unfavorable working conditions and benefits for women, particularly production
domestic Work through the provision of employees
public services, infrastructure, and social2. Disparities in income between men and women
protection policies, as well as the promotion
3. Uneven possibilities for men and women in the workplace
of shared responsibility within the household
and the family, as nationally appropriate. 4. Women's leadership roles in labor unions and other organizations must be strengthened.

5. Women's engagement in work-based organizations must be increased.

Health and Family Planning
Ensure universal access to sexual and 1. The healthcare system's incapacity to meet women's health and reproductive
reproductive health and reproductive rights as requirements
agreed by the Programme of Action of the 2. Women's and children's health and nutritional status must be improved further.
International Conference on Population and
Development and the Beijing Platform for 3. Women's participation in the delivery of health and nutrition services should be
Action and the outcome documents of their supported.
review conferences.
Economic Participation
Undertake reforms to give women equal 1. Lack of visibility and non-quantification of women's contribution to the economy
rights to economic resources and access to
2. Limited access of women to credit
ownership and control over land and other
forms of property, financial services, 3. Impact of economic policies on women
inheritance, and natural resources, following
national laws.
Public Life
Ensure women's full and effective 1. At all levels, women's involvement in decision-making operations is negligible.
participation and equal opportunities for
2.
leadership at all levels of decision-making in Most women are in the lower tiers; their engagement declines as position levels rise.
political, economic, and public life.
3. Women's participation in political systems is marginalized.

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Relatively, in this light of analysis, because of biological differences, women are neglected with economic opportunities where most
employers do not want to hire women because of childbearing responsibilities. This is one of the factors contributing to the low
participation rate of women in the labor force, thus implicating unfavorable working conditions and job status for women. This
could be more of an issue for rural and indigenous women and/or to people who belong to diverse SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and
Gender Identity and Expression).
Within the lens of SGD 5, particularly valuing the unpaid labor and domestic care by men and women, it can be concluded that the
localization of this SDG target is still underappreciated, weak, and unsystematic. With the passage of the Guidelines on the
Localization of the Magna Carta of Women, one could not say that the targets of SDG 5 are covered in flaws in implementation,
localization, monitoring, evaluation, and sustainability. With the slow pace of the inclusion of women and other marginalized sectors
in the labor force in the Region, there could be many contributing factors to this cause.
b. Health and family planning.
Women will outlive males from 2000 to 2025. One of the reasons for this impact is men's lifestyle and risky behaviors. According
to the Philippine Statistics Authority, almost half (48 percent or 14.6 million) of adult males and 9 percent (2.8 million) of adult
females are current smokers. Moreover, 23 percent of Filipino adults are daily tobacco smokers: 38 percent for males and 7 percent
for females. This constitutes a larger number of men being subject to respiratory-related diseases, particularly lung cancer.
Biologically, women produce naturally-made immune responses compared to men. The risky behaviors of men in taking jobs,
opportunities, and experiences are also imprinted in the male hormones. This research was proven by the Australian Bureau of
Statistics, answering the question of why women in most societies live longer compared to their male counterparts, even though
women more frequently report and seek care for stress, depression, or anxiety.
Bicol has the second-highest unmet need for family planning in the country. In the study "The Demand for Primary Health Care
Services in the Bicol Region of the Philippines" by Akin et. Al, Bicol region's primary health care service faces a great dilemma. (1)
Unavailability of Modern Medical Resources- Despite the availability of modern medical care, traditional healers are still sought
by roughly 14% of outpatients in rural areas. Traditional midwives are used for about 70% of deliveries in rural parts of the United
States. Comparisons of aggregative personnel and per capita hospital beds for low- and high-income countries often reinforce the
notion that rural areas lack modern health care. (2) Cost as a Determinant of Medical Care Use- The poorest Bicolanos are the
least likely to receive prenatal, well-baby, or immunization services. The poorest quartile pays a premium for traditional midwives
to deliver their babies. A trip to a public facility can take 4 hours, a private facility 3.9 hours, and a traditional healer 1.25 hours.
The lack of reproductive health care harms all aspects of women's health, including maternal and newborn Mortality and adolescent
pregnancy. Full support for improving mother and child health indicators and unmet demand for family planning would give women
the freedom to make decisions about their bodies. On this SDG target, the Bicol region still has a long way to go in reaching the
unmet needs of its people. This posed a great leap even with the government's passage of the Universal Health program. As part of
the integration and localization of this SDG target, the PSA data and relative research on this cause could help intensify and
religiously follow the appropriate mechanisms to implement such. Collaboration of local health units, district hospitals, and
barangay health centers is necessary to collate raw and correct data on the implementation and localization of this SDG target.
c. Economic Participation
Inequitable wealth distribution, as well as inequitable Distribution of unpaid care and domestic labor, limit women's earning
potential and expose them to lifetime poverty. Women's reduced labor force involvement, lower incomes, and lack of social
protection may compound poverty, placing impoverished women in danger. Age matters in the Region and as a global norm in labor
force participation. The older the women/men, the less likely for him/her to be part of the labor force. As a rural community where
men dominate agriculture and have the most socioeconomic opportunities, women in the Region have a lower labor force
participation rate than men. Unpaid domestic labor, which most women consume most of their time, is undervalued by most people.
According to one study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in the United States, women spend 243.2
minutes daily doing unpaid labor — approximately 28.4 hours per week. Women continue to work greater hours when paid and
unpaid jobs are combined. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans earn an average of $26.82 per hour. This means
that if men and women were compensated for their unpaid labor, men would receive $469.35 (P 27,222.00) more each week, and
women would earn $761.69 (P 44,178) more per week – a total of roughly P 2,120, 544 more per year. According to data logistics,
the more children she has, the more probable she is to be a part of the labor force. As raised in a rural community, the perception of
economic mediocrity is also embedded in the basic social institutions. Herding the animals, taking good care of the farm, being
agriculturally active even not attending school days and the thought of “Mas mabuting magtrabaho sa bukid para may makain sa
isang araw kesa mag aral at magutom lang”. Out of options due to financial deprivation and lack of economic opportunities tend to
be the centennial behavior of men and women in the Region.
In most Asia-Pacific countries with available data, women and girls bear the greater burden of unpaid care and domestic work,
including cooking and cleaning in the household's dwelling, person-to-person care activities, and transporting water (if 16
unavailable on the household premises) from safe sources to the home (Hirway, 2016). If a woman has at least one child under 1-
year-old, less likely she is to be economically active, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). If she has more children

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between 1 and 8, they are likelier to not be in the labor force. Unpaid household, child, and elderly care (as well as unpaid farm
labor) performed mostly by women is undoubtedly a compelling reason why many women are invisible and even excluded from
their local and national economies. This can significantly impede opportunities for better living conditions for women and their
entire households.
D. Public life
Civil service posts require a college degree at the first and second levels of education. Those in technical and professional positions
up to the Division Chief level require a four-year college degree. There are considerable gender inequalities in civil service posts
between levels, with those in the first level more likely to be male and those in the second level more female.
The representation of women in elected offices has been an area of modest development, even as women's economic participation
rates have improved. Even evident in the data results and statistics of the improvement of women in the political arena, this does
not safeguard them from gender subordination in politics nor the quality of treatment by other men-elected officials. Because of the
generally low proportion of women, female leadership is lacking in the most powerful committees that control the budget, national
planning, and government management. Therefore, few female legislators are assigned to numerous committees and
chairpersonships of "traditionally female" concerns, and there are insufficient women to appoint to other committees.
Through the lens of SDG 5, it can be concluded that women have gradually improved in the political arena. As I have argued in
class with Dr. Magno, policies are where it all starts. Through appropriate treatment of data and conclusions, one could easily
establish an inclusive and sensitive policy that could address the grassroots and perennial problems of the marginalized in the
Region, specifically sex and gender issues. With this breakthrough, the Region could produce well-represented sectors in the
political arena. Representatives who could fight for equality and equity, regardless of sex, gender, race, color, and ethnicity. Senator
Leila De Lima, Governor Imelda Papin, and Former Vice President Leni Robredo are some of the prominent Bicolana names in
politics. They served as an inspiration to all women aspiring to achieve a seat in public service.
Recommendations to strengthen the localization of SDG 5.
1. Strengthen the institutionalization of Gender analysis. The praxis of the institutionalization of gender analysis shall start
with familiarizing gender analysis tools and gender auditing i.e. Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG),
Enhanced-Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (E-GMEF), etc. According to COA, the Philippines has adopted a
sustainable, objective, and beautiful GAD framework; however, issues have arisen in its implementation. Gender analysis tools
shall objectively initiate the identification of various gender issues in an organization; thus, this shall be the first step in the
GAD Agenda, Gender Plan and Budget (GPB), formulation of inclusive policies, etc. In using the GAD fund, failure to integrate
the institutionalization of gender analysis means a certain PPA is neither Gender-responsive nor inclusive. Varied CSOs, NGOs,
and public and private institutions shall fully enforce the mechanization of addressing sex and gender issues. Collaboration of
each agency and bench learning where gender-related data and results are being treated.
2. Capacitate Gender Focal Point System on the Gender and Development mandates. GAD-related training and capacity
building are necessary to integrate gender-responsive needs into an institution's systems and processes. Stressing the awareness
to identify gender issues in the Gender Plan and Budget will drive inclusive policymaking, gender equality, and gender
mainstreaming. Partnerships and linkages with agencies with strong GAD implementation shall also be key factors for
replicating GAD best practices. With a strong foundation, objectively identify and prioritize pressing gender issues in their
institutions. Institutional leaders and program implementers should be exposed to varied strategies, tools, mechanisms, and
approaches to solving gender issues. Research data say that related gender and development programs and activities are always
disregarded and misinterpreted as this would be the high time for awareness and action. The following are the common
observations of COA in line with the implementation of Gender and Development policies and mandates.
(1) Gender and Development policies were not devised, and monies totaling 5% of the agency's allocation were not provided to
undertake GAD-related initiatives, projects, and activities;
(2) GAD received less than 5% of the institution's total budget;
(3) The PCW-NEDA-DBM Joint Circular 2012-01 criteria for producing the Annual GAD Plan and Budget, as well as the
Accomplishment Report, were not properly adhered to;
(4) GAD programs and initiatives should have been implemented in conformity with the HGDG; they were not fully implemented
or not implemented at all and
(5) because GAD Plan and Budget and/or accomplishment reports were not submitted, GAD accomplishments about targeted
activities could not be evaluated.
This must be one of the reasons why, despite the improvements in women's participation in various priority sectors in the Region,
gender issues are not being appropriately identified and addressed. Its main cause is the non-compliance of multiple organizations
to Gender and Development mandates and policies, disregarding the real and root causes of gender issues

3. Implement policies on Gender Mainstreaming. Each institution should be able to promote gender mainstreaming with the
institutionalization of gender analysis tools and a capacitated GFPS on gender sensitization. Its purpose is to investigate how

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men and women interact regarding resource access and control. The steps of GAD mainstreaming are planning, programming,
budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Gender mainstreaming has four entry points: (1) policies, (2) programs,
projects, and activities, (3) people, and (4) enabling mechanisms. The Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines
(HGDG) and the Enhanced-Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Frameworks (EGMEF) are two multi-agency-approved gender
mainstreaming tools that aim to identify gender issues in institutions. These tools include gender-responsive indicators required
for designing, implementing, and monitoring more inclusive programs, projects, and activities. With the implementation of
policies on gender mainstreaming, gender issues along the economic, social, political, environmental, and other aspects shall
be prevented and thus appropriately addressed.
4. Conduct research on gender-related concerns and sex-disaggregated data. Recognizing the epistemological conditions of
women, their class, status, ethnicity, societal roles and functions, and cultural background through scientific research must be
increased. This contextual and localized approach shall uncover the various gender and sex issues in their respective area.
Gender and development-related research are necessary for fully integrating and institutionalizing marginalized groups,
securing their work capabilities, and economic participation for multi-sectoral development. Examining the experiences of poor
urban women demonstrates the numerous ways development policy fails to recognize the critical Work women do to support
their households and communities, as well as the negative ramifications of this failure for poor communities more widely.
Addressing sex and gender-related issues through scientific research could also amplify the socio-political horizons and
possibilities of the Region, as proven effective in first-world and developing countries. Through research, the development of
appropriate and suited long-term and sustainable programs will be secured; thus, gender-sensitive and inclusive policies will
be increased.

Conclusions:
While there have been gradual improvements in women's representation and participation in the political and economic spheres in
the Bicol Region, significant challenges persist, such as gender inequality, cultural barriers, the need for sex-disgregation, and trivial
observance and/or implementation of SDG 5. Women continue to face systematic barriers, including unfavorable working
conditions, income disparities, and limited access to leadership roles, which hinder their full participation in public life and the
decision-making process. Also, the patriarchal structure of Philippine Society contributes to the marginalization of women, affecting
their economic opportunities and societal roles. This one cultural barrier perpetuates traditional gender roles that impede women's
potential. The lack of comprehensive sex-disaggregated data limits the effective monitoring and implementation of gender-
responsive policies. The paper emphasizes the importance of generating sex-disaggregated data analytics and gender analysis to
cover specific gender-related issues and inform policymaking. Lastly, as a policy recommendation, LGUs, civilians, NGOs, and
private companies and industries must learn to institutionalize and/or strengthen the localization of SDGs, in this case, SDG No. 5.
This would solve men and women's sex and gender issues and promote inclusive policies for a more harmonious society.

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