Men generally have a greater say in regard to credit and loans, although in certain communities, such decisions are made jointly. Although members and office bearers of agricultural and rural organizations are predominantly male, women comprise a significant percentage of both. However, membership in fisherfolks' associations remains predominantly male. Women comprise only a small percentage of decision-makers in the government agencies that plan and oversee rural and agricultural development programmes. A major achievement was the drafting of the Philippine Development Plan for Women, adopted by the Government in 1989, which contains chapters focusing on agriculture, agrarian reform, environment and natural resources.
Efforts are underway to establish a data base on women.
One result was a increase in women beneficiaries in rural projects funded by one international donor. Most of these project involve hog raising, food and fish processing and marketing, and other small-scale agricultural enterprises. In 1992 a Women GO-NGO Network was established. The Philippine Constitution of 1987 recognizes the fundamental equality of women and men and the New Family Code of 1987 affirms women's right to own property and to contract employment and credit without the need of their husbands' consent. The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988 guarantees equal rights to land ownership, equal shares of the farm's produce, and representation in advisory or appropriate decision-making bodies to qualified women of the agricultural work force.