MANILA, Philippines?Some 3,000 activists on Monday converged at the Mendiola bridge in Manila to commemorate International Women?s Day.

Two separate programs were held at the historic bridge by groups affiliated with Akbayan, Gabriela, Bayan Muna and Migrante.

The groups trooped to Mendiola to condemn widespread poverty and political repression under the Arroyo administration.

Gabriela claimed that President Macapagal-Arroyo made the future for Filipino women and their families bleaker.