In photo: Resource speakers during the #KatubigSpeaks: Inclusive Culture session.
Quezon City, Philippines – Manila Water Company, Inc. recently brought together business leaders, employees, and partners for #KatubigSpeaks: Inclusive Culture – Creating Space for Purpose to Flow last September 23, 2026, at the Manila Water Office in Quezon City. The learning session explored how organizations can build inclusive cultures by embedding gender equality and inclusion into leadership, policies, governance, and everyday workplace practices.
The learning session was attended by more than 1,400 participants, both onsite and online, and was delivered in partnership with the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE). The session featured Cebu Pacific, a fellow PBCWE member, which shared its experience and practices as part of the discussion.
The program opened with remarks from Millet E. Egasani, Manila Water’s Enterprise Group Director for Corporate Information Technology. This was followed by presentations from PBCWE and Cebu Pacific, and a fireside chat that was moderated by Sarah Monica E. Bergado, Manila Water’s Corporate Center Director for Sustainability with Janine Carreon, Manila Water’s Enterprise Group Director, also participating in the conversation. Eleanor B. Misa, Manila Water’s Human Resources Director for Non-East Zone and International Business, delivered the closing call to action.
Creating a culture of belonging
In the fireside chat, Janine Carreon underscored the company’s continued commitment to building an inclusive workplace. She shared that Manila Water is strengthening its commitment to fostering a workplace where everyone feels seen, heard, valued, and empowered to thrive. She also highlighted how initiatives like #KatubigSpeaks contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) while fostering a culture of belonging where Katubigs can bring their best selves to work and contribute to creating a better future for all.
Leadership as the starting point
Ma. Aurora “Boots” D. Geotina-Garcia, Philippine Women’s Economic Network (PhilWEN) Founding Chairperson & President and PBCWE Governing Council Chairperson, made the business case for inclusive culture. She emphasized that gender equality starts with leadership, and that inclusion must be embedded in policy, governance, and accountability, rather than treated as a standalone campaign.
PBCWE Acting Executive Director Reuben James T. Barrete then turned the discussion into what inclusion looks like in daily practice. He noted that women make up 34% of Manila Water’s workforce, well above the 18% global average for the water sector, and nearly half of its senior management. He also highlighted opportunities to further strengthen women’s representation at the board level.
Barrete emphasized that “sustainable inclusion is consistent inclusion,” and presented tools available to PBCWE members to help organizations put this into practice, including the Gender Equality Assessment, Results, and Strategies (GEARS) tool, gender-disaggregated data tracking, mentorship programs, and Business Resource Groups (BRGs).
Members learning from members
The event showed how PBCWE connects its members to create opportunities for organizations to learn from one another. Felix Dan S. Lopez, Cebu Pacific’s Chief Human Resources Officer, shared how the airline has integrated inclusion into its people practices since it began GEARS-based work with PBCWE. Among the practices he highlighted were:
- A DEIB policy and an anti-sexual harassment policy
- HMO and travel benefits extended to same-sex and common-law partners
- 18 employee communities, including BRGs for women, solo parents, the LGBTQIA+ community, and neurodiverse employees and persons with disabilities
- A 54% increase in women in executive roles since 2023
Sky Guillermo, Cebu Pacific’s Juan Abilities Employee Resource Group Lead, shared concrete employee experiences and insights on how their inclusion programs foster a stronger culture of belonging and inclusion.
Cebu Pacific’s partnership with PBCWE also includes Embracing Equity sessions, policy development support, and other learning initiatives, including DEI microlearning modules for its learning management system.
“Manila Water doesn’t stand alone,” Barrete said, emphasizing that the company’s experiences and practices can also serve as a playbook for other companies within the Razon Group.
The session concluded with a Q&A, the awarding of certificates, and a call to action for organizations to strengthen their culture and values through sustained efforts toward inclusion.
