In photo: PBCWE team with the attendees of the GMM-GWG 2025 event.

30 June 2025, Makati City, Philippines — The Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE) convened its member companies for the 2025 General Membership Meeting (GMM) – Gender Working Group (GWG), reaffirming their collective commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and empowering workplaces across the Philippines.

Held on June 19, 2025 at Makati Commerce Tower, the annual event brought together member companies and partners to realign strategic goals, celebrate achievements, and engage in plenary discussions on advancing Workplace Gender Equality (WGE) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), under the theme Intersectional Approaches for Inclusive Growth.”

To kick off the program, Ma. Aurora “Boots” Geotina-Garcia—PhilWEN Founding Chairperson & President and PBCWE Governing Council Chairperson—delivered the welcome address. She emphasized the growing intolerance toward differences in society, underscoring the urgent need for stronger inclusion efforts within the workplace.

As part of PBCWE’s ongoing efforts to keep member companies informed about the coalition’s latest developments—including strategic plans, key achievements, and emerging trends in gender equality and DEI—Executive Director Julia Abad addressed the participants during the event.

She also officially welcomed the newest members of the coalition: ING Hubs Philippines, Jollibee Foods Corporation, Capital One Philippines, Global Dominion Financing Corporation, South Asialink Finance Corporation, Quisumbing Torres, Straive, NYK-TDG Maritime Academy, Manila Water Corporation, and Carelon Global Solutions Philippines.

“In the face of these challenges, PBCWE stands firm and resolute in our message: intersectionality is not merely a lens—it is both a strategic and moral imperative,” said Abad. She further emphasized the importance of consistently applying intersectionality by embedding it into everyday interactions—particularly in workplace policies, programs, and leadership decisions.

PBCWE’s valued partners—Daniel Simson, First Secretary (Economic) at the Australian Embassy to the Philippines, and Maya Juwita, Workplace Gender Equality Director of Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government—shared their messages of support for PBCWE and its collective mission.

The event also delved into the impact of intersectionality on WGE and DEI, featuring insights from distinguished speakers and leaders: Ronn Astillas, Chair of the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce; Angelo Camaya, Chairperson of the Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride; and Hon. Percival “Perci” Cendaña, Member of the Minority in the House Committee on Women & Gender Equality. The session tackled key topics such as Intersectionality and the Inclusive Economy, Intersectional Identities and Allyship, and Policy Reforms.

In addition to the plenary discussions, Reuben James Barrete, PBCWE Program Manager, facilitated an engaging activity on intersectionality that encouraged participants to reflect on their own perspectives and apply their understanding of key concepts.

On the other hand, Pamela De Veyra, PBCWE Operations and Contracts Manager, provided updates on membership finances, followed by Anjanette Bansao, Policy and Business Development Officer for Grants, who introduced the launch of the Policy Working Group.

Toward the latter part of the event, PBCWE recognized member companies that successfully completed the Gender Equality Assessment, Results, and Strategies (GEARS) assessment. Abad led the awarding of certificates of recognition to the following recipients: Accenture in the Philippines, Asialink Finance Corporation, Evident Integrated Marketing & PR, Punongbayan & Araullo (P&A) Grant Thornton, and SyCip Gorres Velayo (SGV) & Co.

In photo: Accenture in the Philippines receives the award, with Christianne “Tin” Villaceran, Managing Director, leading the recognition.

In photo: Asialink Finance Corporation receives the award, with Frederick “Dec” Allan Labog, Chief Risk Officer and ESMS Officer
of Asialink Group of Companies, leading the recognition.

In photo: Evident Integrated Marketing & PR receives the award, with Vida Valkyrie “Dove” Subingsubing, Managing Partner, leading the recognition.

In photo: P&A Grant Thornton receives the award, with Atty. Olivier “Vier” D. Aznar, Vice Chairman and Deputy Managing Partner, leading the recognition.

In photo: SGV & Co. receives the award, with SGV Country Managing Partner-elect Rossana Fajardo, leading the recognition.

PBCWE remains committed to both sharing knowledge and gaining deeper insights through collaboration with its member companies and partners. Beyond this event, organizations can continue to be leading voices in advancing workplace equality through initiatives like Leaders for Change (LFC).

The event concluded with the Gender Working Group Workshop and Breakout Sessions, which provided members the opportunity to collaborate with peers on key focus areas: STEM-Related Initiatives, Peer Network Groups, Intersectionality and DEI, Proposed Legal Reforms, and Leadership and Executive Buy-In.

Looking ahead, PBCWE and its member companies reaffirm their dedication to this vital work—ensuring that the principles of intersectionality are deeply embedded in workplace culture, and paving the way for a more equitable, inclusive, and empowering environment for all.

Partner with us in advancing workplace equality! Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/PBCWEConnects or reach out via email at [email protected].