Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman participated in the International Conference on Communities of Success (ICCOS) 2024, highlighting the Philippines’ commitment to empowering Muslim communities through inclusive governance.
SINGAPORE, 17 October 2024 – Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) represented the Philippines at the International Conference on Communities of Success (ICCOS) 2024, held in Singapore on 14-15 October 2024. The event was hosted by Singapore’s Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health, Mr. Masagos Zulkifli.
As the sole representative of the Philippine government and the only female among the global leaders in attendance, Secretary Pangandaman contributed her expertise to discussions on empowering Muslim minority communities and fostering trust between governments and their citizens. The conference brought together Muslim minority groups and international leaders to share strategies for building inclusive and thriving communities.
On 15 October, Secretary Pangandaman spoke at the closing panel, where she underscored the significance of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in governance as key factors in the empowerment of Muslim communities. She highlighted the Philippines’ efforts to improve the welfare of Muslim minorities, particularly in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. She emphasized the importance of minority representation in government, noting that having Muslims in leadership positions ensures that their concerns are addressed and resources are allocated effectively to enhance their development.
On 14 October, Secretary Pangandaman engaged with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and held bilateral talks with Minister Masagos Zulkifli, who also serves as Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs. During their meeting, they explored potential collaborations and reforms aimed at helping Muslim minority communities in both countries. Later that day, Secretary Pangandaman participated in a fireside chat with members of Utama, a group of influential young Muslim leaders in Singapore, where she shared her experiences as a community leader and her insights on public service delivery.
In a statement following the event, Minister Masagos expressed his appreciation for the dialogue among Muslim and non-Muslim leaders, saying, “We focused on community leadership, social cohesion, and empowerment, reinforcing our commitment to building a thriving society. These discussions have deepened our understanding of how to uplift diverse communities and inspire actionable solutions to today’s challenges.”
Secretary Pangandaman was accompanied by Undersecretary Wilford Will L. Wong and other officials from the DBM. The Philippine Embassy was represented by Second Secretary and Consul Jhullie Anne A. Beniahan.
Source: Philippine Embassy in Singapore
