SAFC, one of the country’s leading non-bank financial institutions, proudly announces its partnership with the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE). This collaboration reinforces SAFC’s commitment to creating an inclusive, equitable, and progressive workplace where every individual—regardless of gender—has the opportunity to thrive.
From left to right: Joana L. Lanuza, SAFC Human Resources Operations Head; Arthur U. Poria, SAFC Human Resources Department Group Head; Clariza “Aiza” A. Enriquez, SAFC Talent Development Head; SAFC President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin John Cabanban (middle), PBCWE Executive Director Julia Abad together with SAFC HR and PBCWE personnel Reuben James Barrete, PBCWE Program Manager; Amica Laine Francisco, PBCWE Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager
The partnership comes at a critical time for advancing gender equality in the Philippine labor force. While the country ranks 25th globally in the latest Global Gender Gap Report—closing 78.4% of its overall gender gap and earning recognition as one of the top performers in East Asia and the Pacific—challenges persist. Despite legislative milestones like the Magna Carta of Women, female labor force participation remains relatively low. According to the latest World Bank data, only 47.2% of Filipino women aged 15 and above participated in the labor force in 2023, compared to approximately 73% for men . This represents only a marginal uptick from previous years, highlighting persistent structural barriers to women’s workforce inclusion.
Unlocking the economic potential of women is essential. Research shows that increasing women’s labor supply by just 0.5 percentage points annually could boost GDP per capita by 6% by 2040 and nearly 10% by 2050. These figures underscore the importance of creating workplace environments that are not only inclusive but also empowering for women.
SAFC accepted this challenge of levelling the playing field before and has, in turn, developed policies that are inclusive to all genders. This resulted in a close ratio of female and male employees both in its operations and managerial positions. Despite this, SAFC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kevin John N. Cabanban admits that the partnership with PBCWE had opened his eyes to more opportunities to make SAFC a better ally to its employees.
“The insights shared by the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment during our discussions were truly eye-opening,” said SAFC CEO and President Cabanban. “While we are proud of the strides we’ve made in fostering an inclusive workplace, their insights revealed key areas where our policies can be further improved. This reflection is invaluable as we continue to evolve and strengthen our support for all employees.”
Aside from ensuring gender equality in the workplace, SAFC is also offering support to women-led small to medium enterprises (SMEs) under its #JUANAsenso year-round campaign. Bridging this gap within the SME sector, SAFC aims to provide accessible financial solutions to women entrepreneurs, empowering them to thrive and expand their businesses. Through this initiative, SAFC seeks to foster a more inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem, where women can not only compete but also lead in their industries. By championing women entrepreneurs, SAFC is not just creating financial opportunities but also paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
