PCW Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla with officials from Caraga State University and the Butuan City Local Government, alongside the participants of Pakigduyog: Women’s Summit 2025.
As a meaningful culmination of the 2025 National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) and in celebration of the Philippine Commission on Women’s (PCW) 50th anniversary, the PCW, through its North Mindanao Field Office (NMFO), partnered with the City Government of Butuan and Caraga State University Gender and Development (GAD) Offices to host the third and final leg of the National Women’s Summits—Pakigduyog: Women’s Summit 2025. Held at Caraga State University in Butuan City, the event reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to gender equality and the advancement of women’s rights.
Under the banner of the 2025 NWMC sub-theme, “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the summit underscored the importance of empowering women in all sectors, particularly those in vulnerable and marginalized communities. The event featured inspiring “herstories”, public declarations of support, service booths, women’s bazaar, and various forms of entertainment for attendees, including women from marginalized communities and GADvocates from both government agencies and private institutions. Demonstrating women’s capabilities, the event significantly incorporated breakout sessions that successfully combined celebratory activities with those nurturing multi-dimensional learning and well-being. Key government leaders also pledged to strengthen programs aimed at improving women’s welfare and protecting them from all forms of discrimination and abuse.
Pakigduyog, derived from the Cebuano word “duyog” meaning “to accompany,” serves as a call to action—urging everyone to work together towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. Held during National Women’s Month, the summit lived up to its name by raising awareness of women’s rights, emphasizing their vital role in society, and providing support to vulnerable women and girls.
Plenary Session: Empowering Words from Empowered Leaders
The plenary session opened with welcome remarks from Caraga State University President Dr. Rolyn C. Daguil, followed by messages of support from Butuan City Mayor Engr. Ronnie Vicente Lagnada, Vice Mayor Atty. Lawrence Lemuel Fortun, 1st District Representative of Agusan del Norte Jose “Joboy” Aquino II, and City Councilor Cherry May Busa, Chairperson of the Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Welfare. City Councilor Victor Plaza, Chairperson of the Committee on Social Welfare delivered the closing remarks. A highlight also of the session was an inspiring talk by Wenie Cline Verano, a female professional boxer from Bukidnon, who shared her journey of breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport. She encouraged fellow Mindanao women to pursue their dreams despite societal barriers.
PCW’s Commitment to Addressing Intersectional Disadvantages
PCW Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla called upon all women to support and uplift each other. She appealed to government officials to reach out to women experiencing intersectional disadvantage so that they may be provided with support to live a decent life. She also urged the women to use their vote to put into office the local leaders who already have visible accomplishments in advancing the women’s agenda.
“To build a truly inclusive and prosperous Bagong Pilipinas, we must focus on women from marginalized sectors—the elderly without support, indigenous communities, women in poverty, women affected by armed conflict and climate change, forcibly displaced women, women with disabilities, single mothers, and others. Too often, their voices go unheard and their needs are overlooked. Whether they are from indigenous communities, rural areas, or belong to other vulnerable groups, they deserve to be at the center of our efforts for transformation. Today, through this event, we ensure that these women are not just part of the conversation—they are at the center.”
She also stressed that, according to statistics, violence against women remains prevalent in CARAGA. Calling the attention of responsible agencies, she reminded everybody that within their communities, there are women and girls who live in the same house, eat at the same table, and sleep in the same room as their offenders. And since violence against women is a public crime, everyone in the community must be vigilant enough to watch out for existing violence within households and inform authorities about it.
Breakout Sessions: What Women Need at the Moment
The breakout sessions provided a platform for learning, collaboration, and empowerment, and taught participants valuable skills and insights to overcome barriers and challenge traditional societal norms. Topics covered included:
| Cybersecurity and Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) | Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) XIII |
| Financial Literacy | Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Mindanao Regional Office |
| Fire Safety and Prevention | Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) Caraga |
| Psychological First Aid | Butuan City Social Welfare and Development Division |
| Entrepreneurial Mindsetting | Department of Trade and Industry Agusan del Norte |
| Filipino Sign Language | Agusan National High School |
| Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP) | Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga |
As an interactive feature, and to both inspire and educate the public, the BFP Caraga all-female firefighter team conducted an outdoor firetruck hose demonstration, educating attendees on fire safety measures.
PCW-NMFO and central office staff participated in an outdoor fire extinguishing activity led by the all-female firefighter team of Bureau of Fire Protection Caraga.
#SerbisyoParaKayJuana: Bringing Services to Women
As part of the #SerbisyoParaKayJuana, the summit also served as a one-stop venue for government services, legal assistance and economic empowerment opportunities. Various government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and corporate partners, provided free services and resources, including legal consultation, financial literacy programs, entrepreneurial support, scholarships, loan and benefit claim assistance, issuance of civil registry certifications, and national ID registration.
The women’s bazaar showcased handcrafted products by Women Deprived of Liberty (WDLs) and residents of the Home for the Girls and Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth. The Department of Agriculture featured products from female farmers and fisherfolk alongside the services of their attached agencies. Meanwhile, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Caraga offered free massage, nail care, and eyebrow grooming services as a gesture of appreciation for the hardworking Filipino women. Women’s health services, including HIV screening, cervical cancer testing, and E-Konsulta, were facilitated by the Butuan City Health Department and Amoma Caraga.
To cap off the event, participants enjoyed bingo games, photo and reels challenges, and performances by Butuan local artists—a fitting close to a day of empowerment, learning, and celebration.
A Nationwide Initiative: Uniting Women Across Regions
The National Women’s Summit was a three-part regional initiative that brought together women from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Luzon leg, which served as the 2025 NWMC Kick-off event, was held at the Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City on March 5, 2025. The Visayas leg followed, with the Visayas Women’s Summit and Halad sa Kababayen-an at the University of the Philippines Cebu on March 19 and 21, 2025. The two-day event brought together students, faculty, women’s organizations, and advocates to address critical issues on women’s sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and political empowerment. The Pakigduyog: Women’s Summit 2025, which marked the culmination of the series as the Mindanao leg, was convened at Caraga State University on March 27, 2025.
The final event was hosted in Region XIII (Caraga) following previous summits in Regions X (Northern Mindanao) and IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), completing the PCW-NMFO’s regional rotation. This reflects PCW’s commitment to inclusivity and its continued efforts to reach and empower women in all corners of Mindanao.
