In photo: SEC Commissioner Quevedo during the panel discussion presentation.
8 July 2026, Makati City, Philippines – Workplace Gender Equality (WGE) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) should no longer be treated as standalone human resources or corporate social responsibility initiatives, but should be embedded into governance, sustainability, and business strategy, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Rogelio V. Quevedo said during the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment’s (PBCWE) 2026 General Membership Meeting and Gender Working Group Discussion held last week.
Speaking at the forum, themed Pagtitibay: From Principles to Practice – Embedding WGE and DEI in Business Strategy and Risk Management, Commissioner Quevedo said today’s business environment, marked by economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, climate-related risks, and rising stakeholder expectations, requires organizations to strengthen governance, transparency, accountability, and resilience. He emphasized that integrating WGE and inclusion into leadership accountability, performance metrics, and governance processes enables organizations to make better decisions, strengthen organizational resilience, and create long-term business value.
These governance and resilience priorities are increasingly reflected in sustainability reporting practices, which help translate strategy into measurable disclosures and accountability. Commissioner Quevedo underscored the growing importance of sustainability reporting as a governance tool, noting that meaningful disclosures should reflect how organizations create long-term value rather than simply meet compliance requirements. He cited the SEC’s adoption of the Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS) S1 and S2 as part of the Commission’s efforts to strengthen sustainability disclosures and align Philippine companies with globally recognized standards.
He added that organizations that invest in human capital, including leadership diversity, employee well-being, talent development, and inclusive leadership, are better positioned for long-term performance.
“Inclusion is not only a matter of fairness. It is a matter of governance. It is a matter of sustainability. And increasingly, it is a matter of business resilience and competitiveness,” Quevedo concluded.
Commissioner Quevedo’s remarks echo PBCWE’s longstanding advocacy to integrate workplace gender equality into sustainability reporting. Through its work with the Philippine Sustainability Reporting Committee and its research on women in leadership among publicly listed companies, PBCWE has championed the inclusion of gender indicators in corporate sustainability disclosures, reinforcing the business case for gender equality as a driver of good governance, transparency, and long-term value creation.
“Commissioner Quevedo’s message reinforces an important reality for Philippine businesses: workplace gender equality and inclusion are governance issues and business issues,” said Philippine Women’s Economic Network (PhilWEN) Founding Chairperson and President, and PBCWE Governing Council Chairperson Ma. Aurora Boots Geotina-Garcia. “Organizations that integrate these principles into strategy, leadership, and sustainability reporting are better equipped to manage risks, build stakeholder trust, and create value,” she added.
