Executive Genesis Services, Inc. founder and CEO, Rhoda Castro-Caliwara, will head this year's 45th National Conference of Employers (NCE) of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) this June 25-26, 2024 at the Manila Hotel.
In a statement, ECOP said that this year's theme is "Job Generation in a Technology-Driven Environment" to mark a significant milestone for employers with Caliwara's appointment. ECOP said that Caliwara's appointment comes at a critical moment when businesses are navigating technological advancements, economic shifts, and global crises.
Caliwara will play a pivotal role in shaping the agenda of the conference, which serves as a platform for employers to engage in dialogue, exchange insights, and formulate policy recommendations on key issues impacting the Philippine business landscape as we enter the Fifth Industrial Revolution.
"I am humbled and excited to lead this year's conference. As a woman and a business owner, I envision empowering our business sector with relevant information that can help them embrace these changes and challenges." said Caliwara.
"This year's NCE is poised to serve as a catalyst for positive change, driving progressive initiatives that empower employers, create employment opportunities, and foster economic resilience." she added.
Caliwara has been in the contracting-subcontracting business since 1993. Her company is engaged in service contracting around the Philippines.
She is currently the President of Women's Business Council Philippines (WomenBizPh), Chair of both Labor and Employment Committee and Philippine-Malaysia Business Council at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Member of the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (NTIPC) representing the employer sector; she also, hosts NegoSHEnte, a TV show in GMA.
She has been awarded the ASEAN Special Awards for Women Entrepreneurs in the 2nd ASEAN Women Leaders' Summit in Cambodia, AWEN Awardee 2022 in the ASEAN Women Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Indonesia, Honoree-100 Womenpreneur 2022 by International Council for Small Business Phils., Mario Nery Awardee-Service Contracting in the Mario Nery Vocational Excellence Awards and Golden Wheel Awards,; Covid-19 Resiliency Award in GoNegosyo's the Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneurs 2022 Awards, 100 FWN Most Influential Filipina in the World by Filipina Women Network, and The UN Women 2021 Philippines Awards in the 2021 Leadership Commitment Awardee for Asia-Pacific Region.
She is also active in the Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors (PALSCON), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Go Negosyo, Women's Business Council of the Philippines (WomenBizPh), and International Council for Small Business Philippines (ICSBPh).
In assuming her new role, Caliwara embraced the challenge of the responsibility, and expressed her commitment to push forward ECOP's mission of promoting the welfare and competitiveness of employers in the Philippines, emphasizing on the importance of fostering partnerships with government agencies, labor organizations, and other stakeholders to achieve common goals and overcome shared challenges.
With Rhoda Castro-Caliwara assuming the role of Chairperson for ECOP's NCE, she brings an abundance of experience, a passion for advocacy, and a steadfast commitment to advancing employers' interests for a better future and inclusive society in the Philippines.