President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. has given concerned government agencies a marching order to respond to the concerns of Malaya Lolas or also known as Free Grandmothers, a group composed of Filipinas who served as comfort women during World War II.

In a statement, Marcos particularly ordered government agencies to formulate a "comprehensive response" within the required period.

"We commit to undertaking measures and finding ways to help them live better lives as an expression of our continued deep solidarity with them and of our utmost respect," the President underscored.

Marcos issued the order, two months after the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) reported that the Philippines failed to fulfill its obligations under the Convention to assist comfort Filipino women in their request for compensation against the Japanese government.

The chief executive further assured that his administration will strongly uphold the human rights of Filipino women and girls, adding that they will push for gender equality "as inscribed in our national laws, our treaty obligations especially under the CEDAW, and other international human rights instruments."