In photo: Participants of the GMM-GWG 2026 pose for a group photo.
30 June 2026, Makati City, Philippines— Business leaders, policymakers, and development partners convened at the SGV Hall of the AIM Conference Center for the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment’s (PBCWE) 2026 General Membership Meeting – Gender Working Group (GMM-GWG), a high-level event aimed at advancing workplace gender equality and inclusion as core business priorities.
Anchored on the theme “Pagtitibay: From Principles to Practice – Embedding Workplace Gender Equality (WGE) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Business Strategy and Risk Management,” the event brings urgency to the need for organizations to move beyond commitments and integrate inclusive practices into governance, leadership, and risk management systems amid an increasingly complex and unpredictable global business environment.
PBCWE highlights how companies are shifting from standalone DEI initiatives toward more practical, outcomes-focused approaches that emphasize accountability, measurable impact, and alignment with business performance, talent retention, and sustainability. Through a multi-stakeholder dialogue, the forum explores how organizations in the Philippines navigate evolving global and local dynamics while strengthening inclusion as part of their long-term strategy.
The program officially commenced with opening remarks from Philippine Women’s Economic Network (PhilWEN) Founding Chairperson and President, and PBCWE Governing Council Chairperson Ma. Aurora “Boots” Geotina-Garcia. It featured a Message of Support from Lachlan Parsons, Second Secretary (Economic) of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines, followed by a Partner’s Message from Gregory Brown, Operations Director and Deputy CEO of Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government. Both speakers underscored the importance of global and regional partnerships in advancing WGE and fostering more inclusive and equitable workplaces.
Julia Abad, Outgoing Executive Director of PBCWE, also addressed attendees, reflecting on the organization’s key milestones and reaffirming its strategic direction in promoting women’s economic empowerment and workplace inclusion.
In photo: Esteemed resource speakers during the expert panel discussion.
A key highlight of the event was an expert panel discussion featuring Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Rogelio V. Quevedo, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) Chief Development Specialist Kevin Godoy, and Dr. Ana Klincic Andrews, Partnership Lead and Risk Management Expert at Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government. The panel explored how organizations can effectively operationalize WGE and DEI as integral components of business strategy, corporate governance, and risk management, emphasizing their role in strengthening organizational resilience, performance, and long-term sustainability.
In photo: Member companies recognized during the GEARS Recognition Ceremony.
As discussions continue on advancing WGE and DEI, PBCWE called on businesses to move beyond commitments and translate principles into concrete action. The coalition encouraged companies to leverage tools such as the Gender Equality Assessment, Results, and Strategies (GEARS) framework, which helps organizations assess, strengthen, and sustain inclusive workplace practices.
By embedding gender-responsive policies and programs into their operations, businesses can position inclusion not only as a social imperative but also as a key driver of resilience, innovation, and long-term growth.
Reinforcing this commitment, PBCWE also recognized member companies that successfully completed the GEARS assessment, highlighting their proactive efforts to advance workplace gender equality and foster more inclusive organizational cultures. The recognized companies were:
- Capital One Philippines
- Cebu Air, Inc.
- Global Dominion Financing
- PwC Acceleration Center Manila
- South Asialink Finance Corporation
Through their participation in the GEARS framework, these organizations have demonstrated leadership in embedding gender equality and DEI principles within their workplaces, serving as examples for other businesses seeking to create more equitable and empowering environments for all employees.
The GMM-GWG also marked the announcement of Reuben James Barrete as PBCWE’s Acting Executive Director, signaling leadership continuity as the organization advances its mission of fostering more inclusive, equitable, and gender-responsive workplaces.
In photo: Participants take part in the affirmation and commitment pledge.
As the gathering came to a close, PBCWE reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside businesses, development partners, and stakeholders to accelerate workplace gender equality across the country, underscoring that sustained collaboration and collective action remain essential in building a more diverse, resilient, and prosperous future for all.
The event was made possible through the generous support of PBCWE’s Visionary Members including GGC Group Asia, Filinvest, Orica, and SGV as well as the valuable contributions of event sponsors Carelon and TP, whose partnership continues to advance workplace gender equality and women’s empowerment initiatives across the Philippines.
