PCW Launches Women’s Priority Legislative Agenda
at the House of Representatives
Ensuring women’s agenda is presented to the very spaces where national laws take shape, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) officially endorsed the Women’s Priority Legislative Agenda (WPLA) for the 20th and 21st Congresses, to the House of Representatives on November 26, 2025. A product of nationwide consultations across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the WPLA serves as a roadmap for gender-responsive legislation, reflecting the pressing needs, rights, and aspirations of Filipino women.
Dubbed as “KAPEHAN: Pagsusulong ng Pangunahing Batas Para Sa Kababaihan sa Ika-20 at Ika-21 Kongreso,” the launch embraced the Filipino tradition of kapehan—a warm and intimate setting for dialogue—to bring women’s voices directly to policymakers. The activity gave an opportunity for legislators, advocates, and civil society representatives to cultivate meaningful conversations and commitments around legislative actions that address women and gender equality issues.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., in his written mesasage of support, emphasized the transformative significance of the WPLA, noting that it reflects the administration’s vision of a Bagong Pilipinas where progress is measured not only by outputs but by equity, justice, and the empowerment of every citizen: “Truly, this agenda aligns with the administration’s commitment to build a Bagong Pilipinas where progress is measured through activity, institutional coherence, and social justice. By endorsing the WPLA, the government underscores the importance of gender perspectives in planning and performance management systems, ensuring that every public program contributes to shared prosperity.”
PCW Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla highlighted that the WPLA is grounded in the lived experiences of Filipino women—from farmers and fisherfolk to educators, workers, and entrepreneurs. It also represents young and older women, as well as partners of diverse gender identities. “Each proposal carries the heartbeat of every Filipina whose story demands to be heard, transforming lived struggles into legislative power—into laws that must be pursued with urgency, courage, and political will,” she added.
The WPLA resource kit was formally received by Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan on behalf of House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, and Hon. Ann Matibag, Representative of the First District of Laguna and Chairperson of the House Committee on Women and Gender Development. Both reaffirmed the House’s commitment to championing women’s rights and ensuring that the WPLA’s legislative priorities are actively pursued.
Messages of support from UN Resident Coordinator Arnaud Peral, OXFAM Pilipinas Executive Director Maria Rosario Felizco, Hon. Geraldine Roman, former Representative of the 1st District of Bataan, and Ms. Rosario Francisco, Vice President of Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK), reinforced the importance of advancing the WPLA. Atty. Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil, Secretary General and Chairperson of the House GFPS, also outlined concrete next steps to move the agenda forward.
The launch also featured the Kapehan ng Kasangga, a dialogue panel including Representative Sarah Elago of Gabriela Women’s Party, Representative Lorenz Defensor of Iloilo Province Third Legislative District, Executive Director Ma. Aurora Quilala of Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development, and National Convener Anna Cubacub of PANTAY, Inc. Moderated by PCW Executive Director Nharleen Santos-Millar, the panel discussion centered on persisting challenges, identified gaps, and strategized ways to advance women’s empowerment, fostering collaboration toward gender-responsive legislation.
Through this continuous advocacy, PCW calls on legislators, partners, and stakeholders to actively champion the WPLA, transforming its provisions into laws that empower every woman in the Philippines, while continuing the agenda with its Senate endorsement on November 27 to sustain the push for stronger, inclusive, and gender-responsive legislation.
About WPLA
Anchored on the State’s duty under the Magna Carta of Women and aligned with the Philippines’ commitments to CEDAW, the WPLA is a set of proposed subjects of bills, developed through public consultations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The WPLA seeks to amend or repeal the discriminatory provisions of existing laws and pushes for the formulation and adoption of new legislation that promote, protect, and fulfill women’s rights and empowerment.
The PCW Management Committee together with policymakers, advocates, and civil society representatives during the official endorsement of the Women’s Priority Legislative Agenda for the 20th and 21st Congress, held at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on November 26, 2025.