Philippine conference emphasizes gender-responsive budgeting for inclusive growth

BUDGET and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Tuesday underscored the importance of gender-responsive budgeting as a key driver of inclusive and sustainable development.

During the opening of the three-day Philippine Conference on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, Pangandaman said the DBM is ensuring that every national budget reflects the diverse needs of women and girls.

“The issues and challenges surrounding WPS touch every sector of society, reminding us that our path forward must be inclusive and collaborative. By listening to and learning from diverse experiences and perspectives, we can develop a truly holistic and inclusive approach to advancing our WPS agenda,” Pangandaman said.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

“At the national level, our goal is to ensure that WPS is not merely included in our priorities, but also placed in front and center among the most urgent issues of our time.”

Pangandaman also cited the need to increase investments to achieve strongest outcomes under the WPS agenda, noting that inclusive progress can only be realized through adequate funding and effective implementation of gender and development (GAD) programs.

The conference highlighted the role of women in local communities as the primary agents of peace and transformation.

The conference aimed to shift the spotlight from global commitments to the lived realities and leadership of women at the grassroots level.

“Building on last year’s international conference and the Pasay Declaration, the 2025 Philippine Conference on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) shifts our focus from global commitments to local realities — the stories, struggles, and innovations at the grassroots that bring the WPS agenda to life every single day,” Pangandaman said.

As the chairman of the Philippine Open Government Partnership and the WPS Center for Excellence Advisory Council, Pangandaman said local governments across the country have begun to integrate gender-responsive planning and budgeting, mandating that at least 5 percent of annual budgets fund gender programs in local communities.

In Baguio City, the Open Government Partnership local action plan and national platforms for public budget disclosure are redefining how communities can shape peace and security policies by preserving their culture.

Meanwhile, Bangsamoro women have been trained as conflict mediators, using digital tools to resolve land and community disputes — an approach that leverages their deep community trust to accelerate peace processes.

Despite these advances, Pangandaman warned that the struggle is far from over. Problems like resurgent conflict, shrinking civic spaces, and the ongoing climate crisis threaten hard-won gains.

“True inclusivity in governance means that when a road is planned, mothers, youth, and farmers sit at the same table as the mayor,” Pangandaman added.

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