Philippine Conference on WPS Advances Concrete Actions
Toward Inclusive and Lasting Peace
Key officials and delegates participate in the Philippine Conference on Women, Peace and Security.
The Philippine Conference on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) opened with a resounding call to accelerate the localization of the WPS Agenda, strengthen women’s leadership in governance, and anchor peacebuilding efforts on transparency, inclusivity, and accountability on October 28, 2025 in Pasay City, Manila.
With the theme “Empowering WPS Champions as Agents in Socioeconomic Transformation,” the three-day conference convened women peacebuilders, civil society organizations, youth advocates, policymakers, and representatives from ASEAN Member States to translate 25 years of WPS advocacy into concrete, community-based results.
Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman delivering her opening message.
Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman emphasized that the conference underscores the collective pursuit of achieving peace that is truly inclusive and transformative. “Peace and equality are not simply aspirations written in policy, but principles fought and lived by women,” she stated, reaffirming the indispensable role of women in shaping and sustaining peace. Secretary Pangandaman also assured that the WPS Agenda will remain among the top priorities of the ASEAN framework. “Our work is far from over; we must not only narrate our success stories, but amplify the voices of women even further,” she added. Concluding her message, she urged participants to remember the very core of the conference — that peace cannot exist without women.
Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe addressing the delegates of the conference.
Following this, Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe paid tribute to women who lead with courage and integrity, stating, “We honor women who not only speak of peace, but who build it through inclusive governance, transparency, and accountability.” She emphasized the importance of ensuring the continuity of the WPS Agenda noting that sustainable peace demands intergenerational leadership — leaders who inspire, enable, and uplift.
UN Resident Coordinator to the Philippines, Mr. Arnauld Peral, gives a message of affirmation.
UN Resident Coordinator to the Philippines, Mr. Arnauld Peral, followed with a message of support, affirming that “The world is watching the Philippines with hope.” He acknowledged the country’s significant progress in advancing the WPS Agenda, noting that while over 100 countries now have National Action Plans, women’s participation in peace negotiations remains limited — with only one in ten peace processes involving women. Mr. Peral reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to continue supporting the Philippines and working alongside its partners in addressing challenges and sustaining peace efforts.
WPS Gains Ground in Development
Panelists during the Keynote Panel, WPS at 25: From National Policy to Local Power
The keynote panel “WPS at 25: From National Policy to Local Power” brought together OPAPRU Office for Peace Sustainability Executive Director Susana Guadalupe Marcaida, PCW OIC Deputy Executive Director for Management Services Macario Jusayan, Bangsamoro Women Commission Chairperson Bainon Guiabar Karon, and PH-OGP Co-Chairperson Aurora Chavez to reflect on milestones and next steps.
ED Marcaida reported that WPS has been mainstreamed in 26 national agencies and localized across regions, noting that “peace built by women is more likely to endure.” Chairperson Karon highlighted that WPS is rooted in lived experiences of struggle and resilience: “When women lead the way, peace is not just a dream, but something everyone can believe in.”
PCW OIC Deputy Executive Director for Management Services as one of the panelists during the Keynote Panel, WPS at 25: From National Policy to Local Power.
PH-OGP Co-Chairperson Chavez emphasized bridging national policy commitments with local realities, while Dr. Jusayan stressed that integrating WPS into institutional systems and governance planning ensures that gender perspectives are not treated as add-ons but as core components of development.
The panel concluded with a shared vision of peace anchored on transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.
Applying Open Governance Principles in WPS
PH-OGP Co-Chairperson Aurora Chavez sharing her presentation on “From Community Voices to National Policy”.
In the session “Advancing Women’s Leadership in Open Governance,” PH-OGP Co-Chairperson Aurora Chavez presented “From Community Voices to National Policy,” highlighting how women’s leadership advances transparency, accountability, and participatory decision-making. She urged stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to open governance as a path toward meaningful peace.
Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba during her presentation on Advancing WPS through Women’s Leadership in Government.
Following this, during Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, Deputy Speaker of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament, underscored the Bangsamoro government’s gender-responsive initiatives – strengthening women’s political participation, representation, and leadership. These local models demonstrate how women’s inclusion shapes more equitable and lasting peace.
Media Engagement on WPS Agenda
At the press conference, DBM Secretary Pangandaman, OPAPRU Secretary Carlito C. Galvez Jr., and PCW’s Dr. Macario Jusayan underscored the government’s commitment to advance the WPS Agenda through stronger collaboration with local government units and civil society organizations. The briefing provided an opportunity for government officials to highlight key initiatives and discuss the integration of the WPS Agenda into national and local governance.
Key officials during the Philippine Conference on WPS Press Conference.
Secretary Pangandaman reaffirmed that WPS remains central to government policy, stressing that “Open Government ensures that women’s voices are not only heard but translated into concrete actions that foster trust and sustain peace.”
Secretary Galvez highlighted the pivotal role of LGUs in fostering local ownership and ensuring that WPS programs respond to real community needs. While Dr. Jusayan emphasized that women, especially from Muslim and indigenous communities, must be recognized as leaders and co-creators of peace, not merely beneficiaries.
Peace Across Generations
Panelists for the “Peace Across Generations: Women, Youth, and Indigenous Peoples’ Rewriting Their Transformative Future” session.
In the session “Peace Across Generations: Women, Youth, and Indigenous Peoples, Rewriting Their Transformative Future,” Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament Member Froilyn Mendoza, KAPATIRAN Chair Ma. Veronica “Ka Inca” Tabara, andArlisa Bianca Pabotoy from the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation highlighted the pivotal role of women, youth, and indigenous communities in advancing inclusive and sustainable peace. underscored the importance of intergenerational learning and indigenous knowledge in peacebuilding. They called for integrating peace education into schools, investing in youth leadership, and preserving traditional knowledge systems – ensuring that the legacy of peace continues through future generations.
Forging the Next Chapter of WPS Agenda
To close the first day, key officials and partners held a Bilateral Meeting to identify urgent priorities for advancing women’s participation in peace and governance, which will help shape the upcoming 2026 OPAPRU Legislative Agenda.
All outcome documents from the WPS Conference will be compiled into a “Voices from the Ground” reflection document, highlighting stories from women on the frontlines of peace and security. This document will capture the issues, existing interventions, strategies, and collaborations shared during the presentations, ensuring that the experiences and insights of women in communities remain at the heart of the WPS agenda.
The Philippine Conference on WPS reaffirms that sustainable peace is built on inclusion – and that women are not merely advocates of peace, but its steadfast pillars.