By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY – The Quezon City Government on Wednesday (July 16) hosted the Dagyaw Open Government Town Hall Meeting 2005 with the theme: “Babayi Kababaihan Bagtasin ang Ekonomiyang Likas-Kaya (Resilient Economy)” at the M.I.C.E. Center, City Hall here.Dagyaw is a Hiligaynon word which means “Bayanihan” in Tagalor or “togetherness” in English.
Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, Regional Director of DILG-NCR, cited Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, other DBM officials, other officials of DILG-NCR, Arise Philippines, and especially Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte for hosting the open town hall meeting.
Pangandaman is the only woman member of the economic team of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and is the first woman Muslim member of the Cabinet.
Agustin said that today’s event is being held in conjunction with the “Week of MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise)”.
She added that the Dagyaw Open Government Town Hall Meeting today is necessary to hear the voices of women and include them in the process of governance.
She said that a woman has many faces such as a mother, a teacher, a cook, a caregiver, a professional, a head of office or even a Cabinet Secretary, who are in the nook and corner of the Philippine society.
Agustin added that the women are the face of government, progress and development and a face of inclusive, stable and resilient economy.
In her keynote address, Pangandaman said that as the first woman Cabinet Secretary and Chairperson of the Open Government, she knows about the Dagyaw Open Government Town Hall Meeting 2025.
She thanked Mayor Joy Belmonte for hosting the venue of today’s event.
She noted that Quezon City is a member of the Open Government Partnership worldwide.
Pangandaman stressed that the Philippines is the first country to have the DBM and gender-responsive budgeting.
“With gender-responsive budgeting, we ensure that the budget goes to projects and programs for women, including the MSMEs,” she said.
She cited the US$3 Billion halal products industry where women can take the opportunity to engage in.
The DBM provides budget for women entrepreneurs and livelihood opportunities.
“Let’s build a government that listens, empowers, and serves-together, ” Pangandaman said.
In a video message, Katherine S. De Castro, Director General of Philippine Information Agency (PIA), said that she stands firm that the government believes in the power of dialogue.
“Malinaw na usapan, malinaw na pagkilos,” De Castro said.
“Let’s unite to have a transparent and participatory government,” she added.
Engr. Liza B. Silerio, Vice President for Corporate Compliance Group of SM Supermalls, said “Women are not only the backbone of families but the driving force of economies.”
“Dagyaw is a vital platform for inclusivity and that no one is left behind,” she added.
“Empower women, build resilience, and create futures,” she added.
“The government cannot do it alone. We are here to help,” Silerio said.
Julia Abad, Executive Director of Philippine Business for Women’s Empowerment, in a video message, cited the whole of society approach in bridging the gap in the employment opportunity for women.
Abad stressed that Dagyaw serves as a good platform for dialogue for gender equality and livelihood opportunities for women, especially for the MSMEs.
Also present were Jay A. Acar, Acting Regional Director of DTI-National Capital Regional Office; and Ma. Cristina Hebron, President of Metro Manila PWD Vendors Association, Inc.
Hebron said that the push for inclusive development also faces challenges such as lack of infrastructures for the deaf and blind, limited access to livelihood support, and digital divide.
She urged to lessen the digital divide so that they can participate in the digital economy, and ensure the proper representation of the PWDs.
Acar is 100% sure that everyone is encountering challenges.
He said that out of the 212,000 MSMEs, majority of which involve women.
The Boston Consulting Group in collaboration with DTI conducted a survey of 3,098 MSMEs in the Philippines. ###
