I attended the Stakeholders’ Consultative Workshop last March 9 from 2 pm to 5 pm at the AVR Penthouse of the Board of Investments Building in Buendia, Makati. The meeting was in preparation for the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN Women’s Business Conference in August 2017.
DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado welcomed the participants. Emmeline Versoza, Executive Director of the Philippine Commissiion on Women gave an overview of the intergration of women in the ASEAN region while Boots Garcia discussed the conference theme and agenda. Gail Tan, Chiqui Escareal-Go and Graca Abella-Zeta were the workshops moderators. Chit Juan, Chair of ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (AWEN) gave the closing remarks. Monette Hamlin was the Master of Ceremonies.
We were grouped into three according to the issues and challenges in our respective fields. We discussed the best practices and how to emulate them.
Policy recommendations must not be parochial. They must be impactful and have an effect in our whole country.
Among the ASEAN region, the Philippines remain to be the best country to be a woman and 7th in global ranking. This is in terms to the equal business / career opportunities available to women. The best proof is we’ve had two women presidents in the past and our current vice president is a woman.
My favorite part of the consultative workshop was the recess. That was also my favorite subject in school.
Cucumber juice
While the other participants were talking and talking, I was eating and eating. I didn’t have lunch!!
(left to right) Rosario Juan, CEO of COMMUNE and niece of Chit, Chit Juan, and yours truly. Ros owns Commune cafe in Polaris St., Makati.