Please read and sign our online petition against the privatization and sale of Agus-Pulangui.

“The privatization of the Agus and Pulangi power complexes by 2011 as provided by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, will complicate the peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front,” Dr. Melchie Ambalong, president of the Lanao Power Consumers Federation (Lapocof) and MCW commissioner, said. ““Control of territory and natural resources are vital elements in the negotiation. Privatization will stand in the way of the political settlement.” … Read the full article on MindaNews.

Irene M. Santiago spoke at the UN as part of the review process of the UN Peacebuilding Commission. On her right is Sophie Haspeslagh, policy analyst at Conciliation Resources; and on her left is Andrew Tomlinson, executive director of the Quaker UN Office.

“The only way to manage people’s expectations and fears is to ensure that significant publics are part of the peace process.” This is one of the central messages shared by Irene M. Santiago, Chair and CEO of the Mindanao Commission on Women during a lunchtime event at the United Nations on 26 May. The event was organized by the Mission of Norway, the Quaker UN Office, and the Conciliation Resources which is part of the International Monitoring Team. (more…)

Davao City - - The Mindanao Commission on Women and the Mothers for Peace Movement announced today that they welcome the appointment of Dr. Grace Jimeno-Rebollos, to the GRP Peace Panel negotiating with the MILF. (more…)

“Prospects for Peace” was the topic of the speech of Secretary Annabelle T. Abaya, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, at Kamindanawan 2010, the annual conference of Mindanao women leaders held on February 4-5. She emphasized that women need to be involved in the negotiations. “Women’s place is at the negotiation table. We can not just support the men. We should be actively involved there on the table. Make your voices heard.” She urged MCW to “make your nomination and I will personally carry it to the President.” (more…)

“Many Colors, Many Circles, One Mindanao” was this year’s theme of the Kamindanawan 2010 conference hosted by the Mindanao Commission on Women on 4-5 February 2010. The hall, inside the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City, was festooned with ribbons of different colors with the women all showing up in their best Filipiniana or ethnic attire during the opening ceremony. It was an opportunity to meet, to listen, to discuss – finally an opportunity to think about an updated Mindanao agenda from a women’s perspective. (more…)

Mindanao women leaders will converge in Davao City, February 4-5, for the Kamindanawan 2010. They will decide on actions that will ensure women’s interests and leadership are taken into serious consideration in the challenges currently facing Mindanao. (more…)

The Mindanao Commission on Women and the Mothers for Peace Movement strongly urge the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to act on a concern made by the UN Security Council over women’s continued “under-representation in formal peace processes.” (more…)

ANC will air its panel discussion on Mindanao’s future after the failure of the peace talks on February 6, Friday, at 7.30 p.m. and on February 7, Saturday, at 7.30 pm. Irene M. Santiago, CEO and Chair, and Margie Floirendo, Vice-Chair of MCW, are invited to panel discussions, anchored by veteran journalists Tony Velasquez and Lynda Jumilla, it aims to bring Mindanao back on the national agenda. The panel of speakers represents a wide range: national government, business sector, military, local government, civil society, media, and the academe. » Read more about the show.