MANILA, April 27 (Bernama-PNA) -- Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Monday urged women parliamentarians across Southeast Asia to push for deeper, system-level change and move from representation to real power in governance, Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported.
Speaking at the 5th Meeting of the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Dy anchored his message on building gender-transformative and future-ready parliaments.
“Progress is not enough. As we pursue a future-ready and inclusive ASEAN, we must move beyond gender-responsiveness toward true transformation, reshaping systems, dismantling barriers, and ensuring women have real decision-making power,” the Speaker said.
“Transformation must go beyond representation. It must create real opportunities for women to lead, to build enterprises, and for marginalised voices to be heard. Inclusion is measured not by presence, but by impact.”
The meeting, hosted by the Philippines via video conference, gathered women lawmakers from across the region to advance cooperation on political participation, economic leadership, and inclusive governance.
It is being held online as part of the Philippines’ calibrated hosting approach to streamline engagements and manage rising global costs, including higher travel expenses driven by tensions in the Middle East.
Dy also linked women’s leadership to stronger institutions and lasting peace in Southeast Asia.
“Peace is not just the absence of conflict, it is trust in institutions and in the future. When women lead, peace becomes more durable,” he said.
The Speaker cited the Philippines’ National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security as part of efforts to promote inclusive and responsive governance.
“At the core of all this is people-centred governance, laws grounded in real needs, budgets that reflect everyday realities, and institutions that are open and accountable,” he said.
“At the same time, we must prepare for a future shaped by technology and climate risks. A future-ready ASEAN must be adaptive, inclusive, and responsible, ensuring no one is left behind.”
Dy urged ASEAN lawmakers to turn commitments into concrete outcomes under the Women’s Political Participation and Leadership (WPPL) Plan of Action.
“We recognise the challenges before us. That is why WAIPA must continue to move from platform to action. The WPPL Plan of Action gives us direction. Now, we must deliver,” he said, stressing that the discussions will be pathways to real outcomes.
While the meeting was originally set in Bohol, it was held virtually following adjustments in ASEAN engagements amid global developments.
But while the format has shifted, Dy said the purpose has not.
“If anything, this moment highlights a defining strength of women leaders: resilience, adaptability, and steady leadership in uncertain times,” he said, as he reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to regional cooperation.
“The Philippines stands ready to work with you, to listen, and to serve,” he added.
-- BERNAMA-PNA
