By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
PASAY CITY — The three-day (Oct. 28-30) Philippine Conference on Women, Peace and Security with the theme “Empowering Local Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Champions as Agents in Socioeconomic Transformation,” is being held here at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
On Tuesday (Oct. 28), the first day of the conference, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said “it’s her honor to join the landmark Philippine Conference on Women, Peace and Security.”
Pangandaman noted that the conference was held 25 years since the first GAA on GAD Budget was enacted into law in 2000 and 30 years after the United National Security Resolution 1325 (UNSCR).
Pangandaman, the only Muslim Member of the Cabinet of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., said that with the continued “Open Governance Policy”, the government pursues transparency and accountability.
“We have seen this vision of women empowerment through peace and development,” Pangandaman said.
“In the local government unit, gender and development provides equality, empowers women peacebuilders on the ground,” she added.
“This reminds us that the growth of peace and development begins from the grassroots and up,” Pangandaman said.
“Welcome to the Philippine Conference on Women, Peace and Security. Maraming Salamat po!” she concluded.
Pangandaman, Chairperson of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), said “siniguro nating ang lahat ng sektor ay may representasyon sa conference.”
In last year’s conference, Pangandaman had the opportunity to meet and interact with the delegates from Australia and Ukraine.
In 2024, the Philippines hosted the International Conference on Women, Peace and Security (ICWPS), inspiring renewed global and regional commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Pangandaman commended the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and the Caraga for implementing the WPS agenda.
39th Solicitor General Darlene Berbarbe, the Guest of Honor, said that last year she also attended the same event and today she is honored to be with the participants to the conference.
Berberabe added that she is honored to be with the participants in today’s conference.
She cited the theme “Empowering Local Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Champions as Agents in Socioeconomic Transformation.”
Berberabe noted that the Women Auxiliary Brigade in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) help in the attainment of peace and development and WPS agenda in the community.
“Transparency builds trust. Innovation builds confidence,” she said.
Berberabe added that the Open Governance in Baguio City has ensured women, peace and security agenda in the community.
“Empowerment, peace and security are not one concept. In OSG, we want to inspire more women to pursue the WPS agenda,” Berberabe said.
“Mabuhay ang kababaihan,” she ended.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Arnaud Peral said “the world is watching the Philippines with hope because conflicts in the world are increasing.”
“26 countries are in conflicts today. 65% increase in conflicts,” Peral added.
“We need inspiration more than ever,” he said.
Peral cited the 25th year of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR) and the 30th year of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
He congratulated Sec. Pangandaman and President Marcos for the budget allocation on women and gender and development, as well as the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
“Peace at the end of the day is the natural order of things. Let’s remember this commitment on WPS agenda,” Peral said.
During the keynote panel discussion on WPS at 25: From National Policy to Local Power, with the UN Women Philippines, what is the greatest transformation of the WPS for the past 25 years?
Assistant Secretary Susan noted that the issue on WPS started in 2007, which brought them for their first nap in 2010. 11.0 CSO Agenda was brought forth by the fourth generation.
With the WPS, women in the BARMM are not just bystanders, they worked and helped in humanitarian response.
In 2024, the provincial rollout in BARMM in the provinces, women worked in preventing violence and extremism. “Peace becomes not just a dream, but something that can be attained.”
The Conference is envisioned as a regional learning platform, drawing insights and participation from countries across Asia and the Pacific, as well as other dialogue partners.
The Conference also marked the 15th year of the Philippines’ Inaugural National Action Plan on WPS (NAPWPS) and National Steering Committee on Women, Peace and Security (NSCWPS) and 10th year of UNSCR 2250. ###
