Women Leading the Green Revolution: How They're Shaping a Sustainable Future!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In celebration of International Women's Month 2025, the "Unite for All Women: A Just, Green, and Inclusive Economy!" forum was held on March 7 in Quezon City, Philippines. This event, organized by UNIDO Philippines in collaboration with the Artisanal Gold Council Philippines, BAN Toxics, and Clean Air Asia, underscored the pivotal role of women in driving environmental sustainability and economic development. The forum brought together approximately 200 participants from various sectors, including government agencies, local and international development organizations, private sector groups, academia, and grassroots communities.

Women Leading Sustainable Industrialization

The forum showcased three UNIDO-implemented projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF):

planetGOLD Philippines Project: Focused on promoting mercury-free artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), this initiative emphasizes the importance of women's leadership in transforming mining practices. Abigail Ocate, National Project Manager for the planetGOLD Philippines Project, highlighted that women's involvement ensures that small-scale mining becomes formalized, safer, more responsible, and community-centered.

Philippine Healthcare and Mercury Wastes Management Project (HCW Project): Addressing the challenges of healthcare waste, this project recognizes that women constitute 75% of the health profession. Improper waste management can significantly impact women's health, making their leadership crucial in building resilient and healthier communities. Jam Lorenzo, Deputy Executive Director of BAN Toxics and HCW Project Manager, emphasized that women's involvement drives solutions that safeguard both the environment and public health.

e-Mobility ASAP Project: Aiming to accelerate the adoption and scale-up of electric mobility for low-carbon city development in the Philippines, this project highlights the importance of integrating gender perspectives in the transport sector. Ahn Meg Adonis, Sustainable Transport Lead of Clean Air Asia, noted that empowering women in critical industries ensures that the benefits of e-mobility are accessible and equitable for all.

Celebrating Women's Contributions

A highlight of the event was the launch of an original song, "Isulong ang Pagkilos (Ginto ng Bayan)," by the Artisanal Gold Council Philippines in collaboration with women miners from Paracale, Camarines Norte, and Sagada, Mt. Province. This song serves as a call to support and accelerate action for women to achieve holistic change in various industries, emphasizing their vital contributions and the need to advance gender equality in small-scale mining and other sectors.

Global Support for Climate Initiatives

In a related development, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $500 million loan to support the Philippines' efforts to tackle climate change. This funding aims to accelerate reforms in sectors like agriculture, natural resources, energy, and transport, steering them toward a climate-resilient and low-carbon path. The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,600 islands, faces significant disaster risks, impacting its economic momentum and outlook. In 2021, the nation pledged a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The ADB has also earmarked $10 billion in climate finance for the Philippines from 2024 to 2029, aiming to allocate 50% of its annual lending to climate finance by 2030. 

Reuters

Inspiring Women Environmental Leaders

The Philippines has been home to numerous women leaders who have significantly contributed to environmental sustainability:

Louise Mabulo: A Filipino environmentalist, social entrepreneur, and chef, Mabulo is the founder of The Cacao Project, which supports over 200 farmers in the San Fernando area. The project focuses on sustainable farming practices, aiming to mitigate climate change while providing farmers with a stable income. Mabulo's efforts have earned her recognition, including being named a United Nations Young Champion of the Earth and a National Geographic Young Explorer. 

Lidy Nacpil: A dedicated human rights, environmental, and climate activist, Nacpil coordinates the Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development. Her advocacy focuses on climate justice, emphasizing the need for systemic change to address environmental challenges. Nacpil's leadership extends to global platforms, where she represents the interests of vulnerable communities affected by climate change. 

Gina Lopez: As a former Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, Lopez was known for her strong stance against destructive mining practices and her commitment to environmental conservation. Her tenure was marked by bold initiatives aimed at preserving the Philippines' rich biodiversity and promoting sustainable development. Lopez's legacy continues to inspire environmental advocates across the nation. 

Loren Legarda: A seasoned legislator and environmentalist, Legarda has been instrumental in passing laws focused on environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and cultural preservation. Her efforts have positioned the Philippines as a proactive player in global environmental initiatives, earning her international recognition for her advocacy. 

Conclusion

The "Unite for All Women" forum highlighted the indispensable role of women in achieving a just, green, and inclusive economy. By amplifying women's voices and leadership, the event reinforced the essential role of women in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The forum served as a platform for collective action, encouraging partnerships and concrete solutions to break down gender barriers, promote women's equal participation in environmental action and economic development, and ensure no one is left behind.

No College? No Problem! New Law Lets You Earn a Degree from Work Experience!

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On March 3, 2025, the Philippine government enacted Republic Act No. 12124, known as the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act, marking a significant milestone in the nation's pursuit of inclusive and accessible education. This groundbreaking legislation enables Filipinos, particularly working professionals and individuals with substantial skills, to earn a college degree by recognizing their experiential learning and expertise acquired outside traditional academic settings.

A Paradigm Shift in Philippine Education

The ETEEAP Act represents a transformative shift in the Philippine educational landscape. By valuing practical experience and informal learning on par with formal education, the law challenges the conventional pathways to academic credentials. This approach acknowledges that learning extends beyond classroom walls, occurring in workplaces, communities, and through self-directed endeavors.

The Sigaw ng Kabataan Coalition (SKC), a prominent youth advocacy group, has lauded the enactment of this law. Ellirie Aviles, Founder and Board Chairperson of SKC, emphasized that the ETEEAP Act addresses longstanding inequities in the educational system, stating, "This law is a long-overdue recognition that learning happens beyond the four walls of a classroom."

The Role of Educational Institutions

Several Philippine universities have pioneered the integration of equivalency and accreditation programs, setting precedents for the ETEEAP's implementation:

Palawan State University (PSU): Since 2011, PSU has offered the ETEEAP, allowing professionals to attain degrees in fields such as Business Administration and Petroleum Engineering. This initiative caters to individuals seeking academic qualifications without compromising their professional commitments. 

Polytechnic University of the Philippines Open University System (PUP OUS): Established in 1990, PUP OUS provides nontraditional and distance education, offering programs that facilitate the completion of degrees through flexible learning modalities. 

University of Cagayan Valley (UCV): Deputized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in 2002, UCV offers the ETEEAP under its BS Criminology Program, enabling practitioners to earn academic credentials aligned with their professional experiences. 

Ensuring Effective Implementation

While the ETEEAP Act lays the foundation for a more inclusive education system, its success hinges on robust and inclusive implementation. SKC urges educational institutions, employers, and government agencies to uphold the law's principles, ensuring that all qualified individuals receive the recognition they deserve. This collaborative effort is vital to transform the law's promise into tangible opportunities for Filipinos nationwide.

A Call to Action

The enactment of the ETEEAP Act is a testament to the Philippines' commitment to educational reform and social equity. By embracing diverse learning pathways and acknowledging the value of experiential knowledge, the nation takes a significant step toward democratizing education. As stakeholders collaborate to implement this law effectively, the vision of an inclusive and accessible education system becomes an attainable reality for all Filipinos.

Over 7,000 Hired to Save Teachers from Endless Paperwork – Here’s How It Will Change Schools!

 

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In a decisive move to enhance the quality of education, the Department of Education (DepEd) of the Philippines, under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., has announced the renewal and hiring of 7,062 school-based Administrative Support Staff under Contract of Service (CoS) across eligible public schools nationwide. This initiative aims to alleviate the administrative burdens on teachers, allowing them to focus more on classroom instruction and student engagement. 

Empowering Teachers Through Administrative Support

Recognizing that teachers often juggle instructional duties alongside numerous administrative tasks, DepEd's initiative seeks to reassign these non-teaching responsibilities to dedicated support staff. Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized, "Our teachers belong in the classroom, not behind paperwork. By ensuring that every school has the necessary support staff, we are taking a concrete step toward making the learning environment more focused, effective, and responsive to the needs of our students." 

Policy Framework and Implementation

This move aligns with DepEd Order No. 002, s. 2024, which mandates the immediate removal of administrative tasks from public school teachers, and DepEd Order No. 005, s. 2024, which rationalizes teachers' workload and provides guidelines for compensating teaching overload. The newly hired CoS personnel will assist with various school operations, including preparing reports, coordinating programs, and handling other clerical tasks assigned by school heads. Applicants are required to have at least a Senior High School diploma and basic administrative skills, with no prior work experience or training necessary. 

Financial Provisions

To support this initiative, DepEd has allocated additional Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) funds to cover the salaries of these personnel. Compensation will be based on the prevailing regional minimum wage, multiplied by 22 working days per month, with a 12.5% premium paid in tranches. 

A Continuation of Previous Efforts

This recent initiative builds upon previous efforts to reduce teachers' administrative workload. In September 2023, DepEd created 5,000 non-teaching positions, consisting of 3,500 administrative officer II and 1,500 project development officer I roles, to alleviate the administrative burden on public school teachers. 

Furthermore, in August 2024, DepEd announced plans to increase the number of administrative staff to further ease the non-teaching workload of public school teachers, following the official opening of the school year 2024-2025. 

Global Perspectives

The Philippines is not alone in recognizing the importance of reducing teachers' administrative workloads. For instance, in New South Wales, Australia, a program was extended in October 2024 to provide extra administrative support to public schools. This initiative, backed by a $47 million investment, aimed to alleviate teacher workloads by hiring additional School Administrative and Support Staff (SASS), expanding the program to 700 more schools by 2026. The program allowed teachers to focus more on classroom activities by transferring tasks like managing excursions, digitizing records, and handling student absences to administrative staff. 

Looking Ahead

By sustaining and expanding the hiring of administrative support staff, DepEd reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the education system. This initiative not only enhances the working conditions for teachers but also ensures that students receive focused and effective instruction, thereby improving the overall quality of education in the Philippines.