The implementation of the gender-responsive programs and projects since 1990s has resulted to the crafting of various Gender and Development (GAD) guidelines to assist all stakeholders in addressing GAD concerns. To further mainstream the GAD concerns in Programs and Projects, the harmonized GAD guidelines which was based on the Implementing Rules and Regulation of Republic Act (RA) 7192 or the Women in Development and Nation Building Act of 1992 was launched in 2005 by Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. This guidelines provides the government agencies and development practitioners with a given common set of analytical concepts and tools that will ensure gender concerns are already mainstreamed in the start of the project identification and preparation. 

In order to effectively implement and achieve the objectives of the guidelines, a joint Trainors’ Training was organized/ conducted by the NEDA and the Asian Development Bank in November 2006 attended by DENR and other key personnel and staff of the various government agencies and development practitioners.

Corollary to this, two (2) batches of participants have undergone Re-echo Training on Harmonized GAD Guidelines. The training for the first batch was held on June 4-5, 2007 at Makiling Highlands Resort, Calamba Laguna while that for the second batch was held on October 4-5, 2007 at Fontana Resort Clark Pampanga. The training participants came from all Regional Offices (except Region 7), Bureaus and attached offices. Consultant Jeanne Frances Illo, ADB-NEDA, was one of the Resource Speakers and mentors in the said training. DENR-Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 11, CAR, LMB, ERDB, NAMRIA, LLDA, and NWRB have already conducted their echo workshop.