The Philippines Subnational Consultation on valuing and investing in unpaid care and domestic work was jointly convened by the National Economic Development Authority-Region 8, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, and Oxfam Pilipinas.

The objective of the subnational consultation was to provide an interactive forum for key stakeholders to examine ways to accelerate progress and adopt care policies at the subnational level. It provided an opportunity for both state and non-state actors to take stock of, as well as consider, possible areas for joint interventions to value and invest in the care economy in the Philippines; promote women’s economic empowerment and participation in the labour force; encourage care-sensitive climate action and advance the collection of gender data.

The consultation served as a critical platform for exchanging knowledge and ideas, with a particular focus on:

• Data and Evidence Building in Care
• Care and Climate Nexus
• Local Policies to Recognize, Reduce and Redistribute Unpaid Care and Domestic Work.

The outcome of the national consultation was a set of recommendations on areas for accelerated action, in line with the consultation discussions. These recommendations contributed to the drafting of a WE CARE Code at the provincial level.