Ahead of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) meetings in March, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian outlined the department’s priorities as host of the regional gathering.

The DSWD will chair the “people empowerment” pillar and represent the Philippines during the ASCC meetings scheduled from 3 to 6 March at The Peninsula Manila in Makati.

“Just to put everything in context, ASEAN has three pillars. One is the Socio-Cultural Community. For easier understanding, anything related to investments in human capital is placed by ASEAN under the socio-cultural pillar,” Gatchalian said during the Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel forum on Friday.

Gatchalian said the Philippines will push discussions focused on strengthening family resilience and empowerment, promoting the responsible use of technology and artificial intelligence, and advancing sustainable approaches to food security.

He added that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the DSWD’s proposed agenda under the theme “RISE ASEAN.”

“Our topics to be discussed are those approved and backed by the President. One is resilient ASEAN families—strengthening families across the region, with particular attention to the thrust of deinstitutionalizing children,” Gatchalian said in Filipino. “Across the region, many children remain in shelters. These are children who have been abandoned, neglected, or exploited.”

The DSWD chief also said the department will highlight inclusive development by encouraging the active participation of senior citizens in nation-building.

He noted that the agency aims to stimulate investments in various sectors to support what he described as the “silver economy,” allowing older persons to remain productive members of society rather than being confined at home.

“We are looking to come up with a regional framework that encourages the private sector to invest in the silver economy,” Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian said the department’s remaining priorities include promoting the effective and responsible use of artificial intelligence among the youth and developing pathways toward a sustainable and economically viable food supply across the region.