The Philippines is following through with its push for more a adaptive, responsive, and cost-efficient regional engagement under the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) by hosting a fully virtual gathering for Southeast Asia’s women lawmakers on Monday, April 27.
The event—the 5th Meeting of the Coordinating Committee of the Women Parliamentarians of AIPA (WAIPA)—will be conducted via video conference, the office of House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III confirmed on Sunday, April 26.
Dy, the AIPA President, is expected to deliver a keynote speech that would reaffirm the Philippines’ commitment to sustaining parliamentary diplomacy amid global economic and security challenges.
The virtual format follows the Speaker's decision to move preparatory AIPA meetings online, with in-person activities limited to the Interface Meeting and General Assembly to be held in November.
The move was made in line with the directive of President Marcos, ASEAN chairman, to streamline official engagements for the upcoming ASEAN Summit while responding to economic pressures brought about by global developments, particularly oil price shocks.
The shift online comes as governments navigate rising global costs and uncertainties, including higher oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East, which have driven up travel and logistical expenses.
Despite these adjustments, Dy has emphasized that the Philippines remains committed to fulfilling its role as host and ensuring that regional cooperation continues without disruption.
ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which the Philippines is a founding member.
The WAIPA meeting carries the theme “Advancing Gender-Transformative Parliaments Towards a Future-Ready and Inclusive ASEAN Community,” underscoring a shift from representation alone to structural reforms that address persistent gender gaps.
Discussions will focus on strengthening women’s political leadership, addressing barriers such as underrepresentationand gender bias in electoral systems. Delegates are also expected to tackle economic concerns, including the need to support women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which remain highly vulnerable to inflation, digital disruption, and uneven access to financing across ASEAN.
WAIPA Chairperson and Laguna 1st Rep. Ann Matibag will preside over plenary discussions, which will include country interventions and updates on the Women’s Political Participation and Leadership 2024–2030 framework.
The framework is expected to guide regional efforts in expanding women’s representation, strengthening legal protections, and promoting gender-responsive governance.
The program will open with remarks from Deputy Speaker Pangasinan 3rd district Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas and AIPA Secretary-General Dr. Chem Widhya, in a bid to set the tone for discussions that link gender equality with broader regional priorities such as sustainable development, digital transformation, and social protection.
Two dialogue sessions will anchor the meeting. The first will focus on women’s role in driving parliamentary transformation, including advancing gender-responsive legislation. It will feature former president and current Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The second dialogue will center on women’s economic leadership and MSME policy, with discussions expected to highlight access to credit, digital market integration, and resilience-building for women entrepreneurs facing climate-related disruptions—an increasingly urgent concern for ASEAN economies.