Taguig City, Metro Manila – The Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), through its Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS), celebrated Pride Month 2026 with a series of activities, including awareness seminars, launching of freedom wall and a photo contest, to promote diversity, inclusion, and allyship while fostering a more inclusive and supportive workplace.
With the support of PNOC President and CEO Franz Josef George E. Alvarez, throughout June, PNOC employees participated in five (5) webinars conducted by external organizations, including MediPrime Medical Clinic and the University of the Philippines Manila. The sessions covered a wide range of topics, including holistic LGBTQIA+ health and wellness, legal rights, gender inclusivity, and psychological safety in the workplace, equipping employees with valuable knowledge to help build a more respectful and inclusive organization.
To further strengthen employee engagement, PNOC launched “Live with Pride: Spectrum of Support Wall,” a year-round digital advocacy initiative hosted on the Company’s Gender and Development (GAD) Microsite. The platform encourages employees to create and share inspirational messages of support and inclusion, providing a safe space where everyone can express solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community and inspire others to champion diversity and acceptance.
One of the highlights of the celebration was the 2026 PNOC Pride Month Photo Contest, themed “Lens of Inclusion: Capturing Diversity, Allyship, and Dignity.” The contest showcased the creativity and visual storytelling skills of PNOC employees while emphasizing the importance of inclusion and respect for diversity in the workplace.
Five employees from various offices emerged as winners:
- Aldiom Svenn A. Lathrop – Procurement Management Division
- Jake S. Elwa – Office of the Corporate Secretary
- Chamel Fiji C. Melo – Officer-in-Charge, Procurement Management Division
- Milani M. Lucero – Personnel Services Division
- Atty. Reynilda T. Cabahug-De Leon – Officer-in-Charge, Asset Management Department
The winners received their awards during the PNOC’s Flag Raising Ceremony on July 20, 2026, where their winning photographs were exhibited and recognized for creatively capturing the values of diversity, allyship, and human dignity.
During the event, the PNOC Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) Technical Working Group (TWG), under the chairpersonship of Ms. Maria Terrisa A. Tripulca, announced the establishment of an all-gender restroom at the lobby of the Company’s Corporate Center Building. This initiative underscores PNOC’s commitment to providing a more inclusive, safe, and accessible environment for both its employees and visitors. The Company also plans to expand this initiative to its offsite offices beginning next year.
Through these initiatives, PNOC reaffirmed its commitment to building an inclusive workplace where diversity is valued, equal opportunities are upheld, and everyone is empowered to live and work with pride.
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