PRESS RELEASE | PR-124-2024


SINGAPORE, 17 October 2024 – Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) participated in the International Conference on Communities of Success (ICCOS) 2024 in Singapore on 14-15 October 2024, upon the invitation of Singapore Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health, Mr. Masagos Zulkifli.
Secretary Pangandaman was the sole representative of the Philippine government and the only female among the global leaders at the Conference.
The Conference gathered Muslim minority groups and global leaders to showcase how current and future community leaders can nurture, empower and build trust in their respective communities.
On 15 October, Secretary Pangandaman delivered a speech at the Conference’s closing panel where she emphasized the importance of having a transparent, accountable and inclusive government in empowering Muslim communities. She highlighted the efforts of the Philippine government in advancing the welfare and development of Muslim minorities, particularly in areas of conflict in Mindanao. She shared that having Muslim and minority representation in key government offices and positions, such as the one she currently holds, ensures that due attention is given to the concerns of disenfranchised groups and more importantly, that necessary resources are allocated to efforts in improving their condition.
A day prior, on 14 October, Secretary Pangandaman had the opportunity to engage with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and met with MInister Masagos, who also serves as Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs, on the sidelines of the ICCOS 2024. During her meeting with Minister Masagos, Secretary Pangandaman discussed possible partnerships and reforms on how the Philippine and Singaporean governments can help Muslim minority communities thrive in their respective societies. Thereafter, Secretary Pangandaman shared her insights and experiences as a Muslim community leader in fireside chat with members of Utama, a Singaporean society of young and influential leaders from the city-state’s Muslim community who are committed to improving public service delivery.
In a separate statement, Minister Masagos shared that he was inspired by the insightful discussions among influential Muslim and non Muslim leaders from around the globe. He said, “During the sessions, we focused on community leadership, social cohesion, and empowerment, which reinforced our commitment to building a thriving society. I hope these exchanges have deepened our understanding of how to uplift our diverse communities and inspire actionable solutions to today’s challenges. It is through these dialogues that we learn why we must develop trust and effective strategies for sustained inclusivity and resilience”.
Secretary Pangandaman was joined by Undersecretary Wilford Will L. Wong and other officials from the DBM. Second Secretary and Consul Jhullie Anne A. Beniahan represented the Philippine Embassy at the Conference. /END