In photo: Participants of the Dagyaw 2025
24 July 2025, Quezon City, Philippines — With the theme “BaBaYi: Kababaihan Bagtasin ang Ekonomiyang Likas-Kaya“, the Philippine Women’s Economic Network (PhilWEN) and the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE) co-convened the 2025 Dagyaw Open Government and Participatory Governance Town Hall Meeting to emphasize and elevate the role of women-led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. The event gathered over 500 sectoral representatives, as well as invited women-led enterprises to exhibit their products and services at the event.
Dagyaw 2025 and BaBaYi sought to give women the necessary tools to be successful in their businesses, creating a space where their voices are heard and their businesses can grow sustainably. The event brought together various people from different sectors, allowing for a broader and multi-pronged approach in looking for ways to help women-led MSMEs.
In the keynote speech, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman put a spotlight on the capabilities of Filipino women, calling on participants to empower and safeguard their capabilities. She notes that gender-responsive governance is the key to building a resilient economy.
Julia Abad, Executive Director of PBCWE, highlighted the importance of investing in women, drawing on research to prove that women’s inclusion and participation leads to stronger communities and more resilient economies–“We must ensure that women are not only included, but empowered to lead.”
The event also held a fireside chat attended by Deputy Executive Director III Annray Villota Rivera of the Department of Agriculture Directorate for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), Founder and Chief Designer Loj Tonacao of Anthologie, and Chief Executive Officer Carmen Zubiaga of the Women with Disabilities Leap for Social and Economic Progress Inc. (WOW LEAP). The conversation stressed that having a policy environment is a must to be able to assist women entrepreneurs. The speakers were able to discuss the many barriers women-led MSMEs, particularly women with disabilities, face today.
In continuing the discussion on barriers women face, the fishbowl panel addressed the possible solutions to advance inclusive economic development. Composed of Wally Don Calderon, Innovation and Advocacy Head of Small Business Corporation; Agnes Gervacio, Chief Executive Officer of Connected Women; and Meda Cruz, Financial Inclusion Head of Packworks, the panel gave strategic and practical solutions to the common problems women entrepreneurs encounter.
Ma. Aurora “Boots” Geotina-Garcia, PhilWEN Founding Chairperson and President and PBCWE Governing Council Chairperson, challenged the participants to engage in further collaboration to achieve economic resilience in the NCR. She underscored the importance of cooperation among various sectors in order to support and uplift women-led MSMEs.
To close the event, Philippine Information Agency – National Capital Region Assistant Regional Director Alice B. Sicat succinctly described the work ahead: “We laid the groundwork, but the real work starts now—in our homes, communities, workplaces, and all economic spaces.”
The event was also graced by a diverse group of exhibitors, including representatives from government agencies, non-government organizations, and businesses—among them Global Dominion Financing, a member company of PBCWE.
PhilWEN and PBCWE continue to engage with stakeholders to advance advocacies of women empowerment in business and workplace gender equality. Our continued partnership with DILG reinforces the much needed cooperation between the private sector and the government to make significant impacts in the lives of Filipino women entrepreneurs.
