The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) opened the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) Summit 2026 on Thursday, calling on institutions to reinforce safe, equitable, and dignified workplaces in both public and private sectors.

In her opening remarks, PCW Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla invoked the historical reverence given to the “Babaylan” (indigenous shamans and leaders), reminding participants that gender equality was deeply rooted in Philippine society long before modern times.

“What we are aspiring to happen today was already the norm before,” Valdeavilla said.

She urged delegates to take on the role of “modern Babaylans” in building institutions where dignity is protected and every voice is heard, asserting that no worker should ever be forced to choose between keeping a job and preserving their self-respect.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh, who served as keynote speaker, emphasized the critical dual function of CODI bodies as both investigative and preventive mechanisms.

Singh underscored that organizations must understand the roots and patterns of misconduct to stop incidents before they happen, rather than simply reacting when complaints arise.

“If we educate, gauge, and think about solutions, we begin to address the conditions that allow the problem to occur in the first place. We attack the problem and cut it at the root. That way, harm no longer occurs,” Singh said.

Highlighting multi-sectoral support for the initiative, Senior Assistant Vice President and Program Coordinator of SM CARES for Women and Breastfeeding Mothers Pearl Joan Turley noted the value of public-private partnerships in championing safe spaces.

Turley said the summit underscores the potential of government and private sector collaboration to “turn shared values into meaningful action.”

The CODI Summit serves as a platform to strengthen workplace mechanisms against sexual harassment and discrimination, reinforcing institutional compliance with existing safe space laws. (PNA)