President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has created a multi-agency group that would craft a national action plan on the protection of women in peacekeeping and armed conflict.
 
In the Executive Order no. 865 signed last March 1, the National Steering Committee on Women, Peace, and Security  was also empowered to tap foreign donor agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for technical assistance and financial support for the implementation of the program.
 
The committee, that will form and implement the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAPWPS) will be chaired by the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, with the head of the Philippine Commission on Women as vice-chair.
 
The secretaries of various departments, such as National Defense, Social Welfare and Development, Justice, Interior and Local Government, as well as the heads of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Office of Muslim Affairs, will compose the said group that has an initial budget of P5 million.
 
"As a member state of the United Nations, the Philippines is mandated to implement UNSC (United Nations Security Council) Resolution 1325 which calls for gender balance at all levels of decision making in peace processes and UNSC Resolution 1820 which calls for the protection of women from sexual violence in situations of armed conflict," the EO read.
 
The committee was also assigned to update the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, as well as provide policy direction and monitor the implementation of the program,
 
The group is allowed to partner with civil society organizations, particularly with women and peace groups in the implementation and evaluation of the said program.