"We empower others because we were ourselves empowered by others who came before us. We give because we have been generously given."

MICHELLE BAUTISTA-TAÑADA

BSK National President (2019-2025)

Who We Are

Balikatan sa Kaunlaran (BSK) National Foundation traces its origins to the initiative of the National Council on the Role of the Filipino Women (NCRFW) – the precursor of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) – in the mid-1970s to re-energize the women sector in the Philippines.

Together with 92 women-led organizations, BSK lobbied for a Presidential Proclamation in 1977 declaring January 6 of each year as Araw ng Balikatan – a special day of unity among varied women’s organizations in the country.

Our History

1976

December 1976Government and non-government organizations issue a Manifesto during a public forum pledging their support for a “Balikatan sa Kaunlaran” – or “shoulder to shoulder for progress” – movement.

First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos

Balikatan sa Kaunlaran traces its emergence to the efforts of the then First Lady who sought to unite and converge all women's movements and organizations across the Philippines.

1977Presidential Proclamation 1609 Declaring January 6 as Araw ng Balikatan

Signing of Presidential Proclamation 1609

Then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. signed the Proclamation declaring January 6 of each year as Araw ng Balikatan to commemorate the third anniversary of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW).

1977

1977-1980sNationwide organizing and establishment of local Balikatan sa Kaunlaran Chapters

BSK on the Move

In keeping with the spirit of the 1976 Manifesto and Presidential Proclamation 1906, the NCRFW leads the establishment of BSK chapters around the Philippines. NCRFW Chair Leticia Perez de Guzman becomes first President of BSK.

1980s-1990sBSK as a Non-Government Organization

Laying the Groundwork for a Family Empowerment Foundation

BSK's experience in organizing grassroots communities and social sectors laid the groundwork for its eventual transformation under Mayor Guia Gomez's leadership into a full-fledged Foundation.

The BSK Vision

A peaceful and prosperous society where Filipino families are fully integrated in all aspects of development.

The BSK Mission

To develop the talents and potentials of Filipino families through networking, capacity building and implementing an effective mechanism that will continuously facilitate their active participation in global, national and local initiatives.

In pursuit of this mission, we are guided by our threefold goals of: first, providing venues for ensuring the active involvement of family members in addressing issues and problems affecting their communities and the entire nation; second, promoting program sustainability through strengthening linkages with the government, non-government organizations and the business sector; and third, consolidating programs and projects that will uplift the social-economic welfare of disadvantaged Filipino families

OUR IMPACT

years of empowering Filipino families

0 M+

pesos in external funding from partners since 1976

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beneficiaries of programs and technical support

Since our establishment in 1976, BSK National Foundation has been trusted by generous institutional donors, individual or family benefactors, and other government as well as non-government grant-giving bodies from the Philippines and around the world.

We have also implemented programs for Philippines local and national government agencies in recognition of BSK National Foundation's capacity to translate shared commitments and mandate into measurable and verifiable outcomes.