Phl chairs 35th ASEAN socio-cultural council, showcases Filipino culture
DSWD places its operations under red alert status as TD Wilma affects Bicol Region and several areas in the Visayas.
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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is slated to host the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council meetings beginning today (2 to 5 March) at The Peninsula Manila in Makati City.
As the Philippines’ representative, the DSWD serves as the ASCC chair and will be championing four thematic priorities under the acronym R.I.S.E during the council meetings. Encapsulating the DSWD’s vision for its 2026 ASCC chairmanship, R.I.S.E stands for: Resilient and empowered families; Inclusive development; Smart youth and innovation; and Environmentally sustainable and food-secure future.
“It is the Philippines’ turn as ASEAN chair and be the host country. Under the theme ‘Navigating our Future, Together’ are the three main priorities of our country’s chairship—peace and security, prosperity, and people empowerment. As the representative of the Philippines, DSWD chairs one of the ASEAN pillars, the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, and thus, we are hosting the 35th ASCC meetings,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, said on Sunday (1 March).
The DSWD spokesperson said the Department will focus on promoting family resiliency, youth empowerment, and the inclusive development of marginalized and vulnerable sectors for a ‘One ASEAN, One-Response’ region.
“More than chairing and hosting the 35th ASCC, the DSWD seeks to ensure that policy discussions will result in regional initiatives that will be felt by the ASEAN people,” Dumlao pointed out.
Aside from hosting high-level meetings, the DSWD will also take this opportunity to showcase Filipino culture to the other ASEAN member nations through the presentation of the rich gastronomical heritage and the performance of traditional dances and songs.
The Department is also preparing for the ASEAN delegates to have first-hand experience of Filipino art and history through a curated program set in the National Museum of Natural History and the Centro de Turismo.
“We take this ASCC chairship as an opportunity to introduce the Filipino society, the culture, through experiential programs and activities. Under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the Department has prepared simple yet meaningful activities for the ASCC meeting aside from policy discussions,” Dumlao said.