On February 2003, Pres. Clara Anciano of the Inner Wheel Club of Singapore came to the Philippines with her Rotarian husband to attend the Conference of RI District 380 in Manila. She met the ladies Committee of the Conference headed by Trining Legarda. Highly impressed, she shared the good news of Inner Wheel to the Anns of the Ladies Committee namely: Trining Legarda, Millie Lim, and Fely Tranco. Encouraged by then District Governor “Balmy” Balmaceda, the ladies Committee served as the core group which formed the foundation of Inner Wheel in the Philippines, the Inner Wheel Club of Manila, on March 1949.

The first Inner Wheel Club was spearheaded by Gening Puyat, who put to task 34 lady Anns to make its mark in the forefront of friendship and service. The foundation became more solid when they established clubs in Quezon City, Cabana-tuan, Nueva Ecija,Malolos, Bulacan, Cebu, and soon in other parts of the archipelago.

Individual clubs has rendered effective services to their communities however, they have to have a common goal to achieve. They then felt the need to federate the Clubs and to coordinate a national organization of Inner Wheel Clubs. Thus in 1965, sixteen years after the organization of the first Inner Wheel Club in Manila, Trining Legarda started to organize the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs of the Philippines. A Steering Committee was formed, among them were Trining Legarda (IWC Manila) as Chairman, Esther A. Vibal (IWC Quezon City), Secretary, with Nita Caparas (IWC Caloocan), Lily Basa Salazar (IWC Manila), Pilaring Nabe (IWC Calapan), and Trining D. Enriquesz (IWC Quezon City) as members.

Milestones:

 The so-called golden years of the Inner Wheel history was during the term of Lily Salazar (1970-1974) when IWCPI had its own identity as an NGO in terms of a) adopting a pledge that emphasized the motto: "Selflessness in Friendship and Service to Humanity;" b) establishing initial steps in the formation of districts corresponding to those of Rotary club; c) incorporation of IWCPI in 1974 and its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission; d) a leasehold contract with Ayala Corporation for as long as Inner Wheel exists; and the e) the construction of the IWCPI Headquarters.

Another milestone of the IWCPI was the international recognition accorded to Esther Vibal when she was elected International Inner Wheel President in 1983-1984, the first Asian and Filipino to have achieved such honor. She was also elected as International Editor, the first Asian to hold the honor, a position she held for three years and eventually, as the first Asian and Filipino IIW President.

Certain innovations and policies were implemented during the term of Caring Velasquez such as: a) the granting of 50% transportation subsidies to District Chairmen of Districts 385 and 386 when attending board meetings; b) granting IWCPI Charter to newly-formed Clubs upon induction as members; c) conducting leadership seminars and workshops for incoming officers of the national board and members of the executive committee of all districts; d) honoring of national past presidents and past IIW representatives and board members during World Inner Wheel Day

The Objects of the orgisation are:

The Objects of the organisation are: To foster camaraderie and develop the spirit of service, understanding and mutual assistance among its members Improve the cultural, social economic and spiritual conditions of the people and undertake activities that will help develop the sense of nationalism Promote international understanding and friendship; and Cooperate with Rotary whenever invited to do so

International Inner Wheel is a worldwide organization of womenfolk of Rotarians . On January 10, 1924, the Officers of the International Inner Wheel elected Mrs. Oliver  Golding as Founder President. With Mrs. Goldings tireless energy and enthusiasm, Inner Wheel Clubs were established in many parts of the country. In the succeeding years, IIW expanded and with the Regional meetings they framed a constitution for an international governing body.  Basic rules of International Inner Wheel were finally agreed at the Association Conference in 1966 and 1967.

The overseas members of council on the 1st of July 1967 up to 1969 became members of Inner Wheel.  The first President was Lavander Weightman from Great Britain and Ireland.  Organizing Inner Wheel abroad marked her term of office, and as membership expanded several problems arose, such as zoning, boundaries, officers.  But it is the constitution that got all the effort for it is the binding force of all the members all over the world.  During the early years of Inner Wheel, there was no international theme, it was only after the Organization had its international convention that they thought of crafting a theme as a basis and direction of rendering service to their constituents base on the goals and objectives of Inner Wheel.

Inner Wheel in the Philippines was formed in 1966 and is a charter member of International Inner Wheel. It got 79 Inner Wheel Clubs all over the Philippines with 1,427 members nationwide as of June 2011. It has eight (8) Districts namely: District 377, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 385, and 386 covering north to south of the Philippines.

Its vision is: IWCPI is the dynamic organization of committed women bound by friendship and dedicated to selfless service to humanity. Its mission is: Selflessness in friendship and service to humanity by providing needed assistance and undertaking special projects for the community, the women, the youth, the elderly and the marginalized sectors of society.

IWCPI creed is: selflessness in friendship and service to humanity. The objectives are: a.) to promote true friendship b) to encourage the ideals of personal service c) to foster international understanding and d) support Rotary under taking. One of the greatest features of Inner Wheel is the opportunities given to the members the world over to get to know one another thus contributing to International Friendship & Understanding. These opportunities are: to share enjoyment, be involved in community projects, help those in need, find new friends, make world contacts, widen horizons, work with rotary, and work towards international understanding. IWCPI is a goldmine of true and lasting friendship that improves its members socially, physically and intellectually. Also, it adds zest and excitement in the members’ lives.

IWCPI Organization Core Values are: Friendship, Dedication & Commitment, Integrity, Compassion, Responsible volunteerism, and Relevance.

IWCPI has four areas of concern: Health (Tubig sa Barangay & Aging), Education (Day Care and Operation Karunungan), Ecology and Environment (Clean and Green/Zero Waste Management), and Socio-Economic ( Operation Paglingap and Livelihood) and Signage. It undertakes also other special projects such as Medicine and Medical Supplies Bank, IWC Nursing/Learning Center, Toy Library, Isang Alay-Dalawang Buhay Project and ECOSOC Projects such as: The Rights of the Family, The Status of Women, The Rights of the Child, Human Rights, Aging, and Narcotic Drugs.

However, each club is free to choose the type and extent of its services. More often, Clubs participate in Rotary projects and undertake projects with them.

Inner Wheel has always been in action.  With members across the world, resources are infinite given by warmhearted people in improving the quality of life for those who are in need.

Greater awareness of tasks in doing relief works, members have always responded generously when they learn of ways in which practical help can be given, particularly in times of devastation through floods, fires, tidal waves, earthquakes and other causes.

Wherever we are, there is a continuing need to help the million of homeless men, women and children who are in danger before us.  To alleviate suffering and hardship, aid has been given no matter how small the subsidy is from the IWCPI and IWCPFI.

Many projects have been made possible by the combined efforts of Rotary and Inner Wheel particularly in their community service.

Medical services were given such as free medical and dental treatment.  Health services included nutritional feeding, maintenance of day care centers for children of working mother, garbage disposal program, herbal gardening, construction of sanitary toilets, conducting seminar, lectures and demonstrations on proper nutrition and food preparation, garbage disposal, and cleanliness and beautification projects.

A national assisted project, “Tubig sa Barangay” which provided potable water in places without water system.

Educational services included scholarship to indigent students, short vocational and technical courses, “Operation Karunungan” was a national project where books and reading materials were donated to schools and public libraries, “Ako’y Pilipino” contest was also a national project which was opened to all public high school senior students.  The prize of P100,000 will pay the winners four-year college tuition fee and stipend.  Clubs also maintained nursery and kindergarten schools.

Social services included programs on prevention of drug abuse, conducts seminar on Family Planning, Mental Health, Values Formation and Livelihood Program, Participation in Tree Planting, Greening projects, Cleanliness and Beautification drives of the community “Operation Paglingap”, a national project, gave subsidy to people and places, which were affected by typhoon, flood fire and other calamities.

All of these services are realized because of the commitment of IWCPI to serve humanity.

Inner Wheel Theme for the IWY 2011-2012 is “Think Ahead- Aim High”.