President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday (Sept. 17) emphasized
the role of women in the Asia Pacific in promoting inclusive growth in the
region.
“That is precisely why we are here: to express our collective belief that harnessing the talents and potential of all women can bring about inclusive progress sooner rather than later,” President Aquino said addressing the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Public-Private Dialogue on Women and the Economy, held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
He cited the contribution of Filipino women, both in the public and private sector, mentioning the “good number of women of unquestionable moral standing” he has appointed to key government positions, among them Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman, Health Secretary Janette Garin, Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Lilia de Lima, Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares, and former head of the Commission on Audit Grace Pulido-Tan.
“Over the last five years, these women have bullishly pursued necessary reforms and have refused to back down, even in the face of those with great power and influence, and deeply entrenched interests,” the Chief Executive said.
“They are pillars of our administration’s reform agenda, and they are living proof to young people who wish to enter public service that they will not be defined by their gender, but rather, by their integrity, their work ethics, and their willingness to serve,” he added.
In the private sector, President Aquino noted that 54 percent of registered businesses in the country are owned by women who are mostly involved in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These enterprises account for 63.7 percent of the country’s total employment.
“Our goal is to have an inclusive economy, and if it is clear that women are the better partners towards having inclusive growth, then it behooves government to provide more opportunities to women entrepreneurs,” he said.
These opportunities, he said, include the Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program, a partnership of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Coca-Cola, which trains women owners of neighborhood retail stores in bookkeeping, inventory management, accounting, and other disciplines.
The STAR Program helps sari-sari store owners to professionalize and formalize their approach in a typically informal enterprise, he added.
“Even better: We are also teaching them how to maximize the utility of their profits,” the President said.
“We are already hearing of so many success stories. For instance, there was one owner who used to earn just P800 a day. After going through the program, her daily earnings reached P4,000.”
President Aquino said the government aims to train 200,000 Filipinas under the STAR Program, which began in December 2011.
Congress has also passed laws that expand the horizon of opportunities for women, he said, adding that in 2011, it repealed antiquated provisions of the Labor Code that prohibit women from working at night.
“It comes as no surprise, then, that according to the World Economic Forum, the Philippines is the only Asian country in the top ten, in terms of closing the gender gap,” the President said.
“That is precisely why we are here: to express our collective belief that harnessing the talents and potential of all women can bring about inclusive progress sooner rather than later,” President Aquino said addressing the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Public-Private Dialogue on Women and the Economy, held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
He cited the contribution of Filipino women, both in the public and private sector, mentioning the “good number of women of unquestionable moral standing” he has appointed to key government positions, among them Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman, Health Secretary Janette Garin, Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Lilia de Lima, Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares, and former head of the Commission on Audit Grace Pulido-Tan.
“Over the last five years, these women have bullishly pursued necessary reforms and have refused to back down, even in the face of those with great power and influence, and deeply entrenched interests,” the Chief Executive said.
“They are pillars of our administration’s reform agenda, and they are living proof to young people who wish to enter public service that they will not be defined by their gender, but rather, by their integrity, their work ethics, and their willingness to serve,” he added.
In the private sector, President Aquino noted that 54 percent of registered businesses in the country are owned by women who are mostly involved in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These enterprises account for 63.7 percent of the country’s total employment.
“Our goal is to have an inclusive economy, and if it is clear that women are the better partners towards having inclusive growth, then it behooves government to provide more opportunities to women entrepreneurs,” he said.
These opportunities, he said, include the Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program, a partnership of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Coca-Cola, which trains women owners of neighborhood retail stores in bookkeeping, inventory management, accounting, and other disciplines.
The STAR Program helps sari-sari store owners to professionalize and formalize their approach in a typically informal enterprise, he added.
“Even better: We are also teaching them how to maximize the utility of their profits,” the President said.
“We are already hearing of so many success stories. For instance, there was one owner who used to earn just P800 a day. After going through the program, her daily earnings reached P4,000.”
President Aquino said the government aims to train 200,000 Filipinas under the STAR Program, which began in December 2011.
Congress has also passed laws that expand the horizon of opportunities for women, he said, adding that in 2011, it repealed antiquated provisions of the Labor Code that prohibit women from working at night.
“It comes as no surprise, then, that according to the World Economic Forum, the Philippines is the only Asian country in the top ten, in terms of closing the gender gap,” the President said.
“But make no mistake: Our performance in this index will not stop
us from pursuing even more progress. Women still face a number of pressing
issues, and the issue of gender equality calls for continuous reflection and
corresponding action. For this reason, we must always approach our jobs, and
even our smallest interactions with people, with the empathy, consideration,
and respect necessary to create a truly inclusive society,” he said.
The four-day APEC Women and the Economy Fora will conclude on Friday (Sept. 18). (PNA/PCOO News Release)
The four-day APEC Women and the Economy Fora will conclude on Friday (Sept. 18). (PNA/PCOO News Release)
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