Jaehwa Bernardo

Department of Social Welfare and Development. Jonathan  Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

DSWD to focus on elderly, families at ASEAN meet

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177242917810620160801-qc-government-agencies-JC-638.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Department of Social Welfare and Development. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Department of Social Welfare and Development. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will focus on strengthening programs for the elderly, families and youth as it leads ASEAN meetings in Makati, an official said Monday.</p><p>The agency has been tapped to host the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council (ASCC) Meetings and Related Meetings this week.</p><p>As the chair of the ASCC this year, the DSWD will push to support vulnerable sectors, among which is the elderly, its spokesperson Irene Dumlao said.</p><p>Dumlao said they would discuss with ASEAN counterparts to adopt community-driven development approach to social protection for various projects.</p><p>“We wanted to create equal opportunities for the elderly sector as we promote active aging and we want to focus on the silver economy through a regional action framework,” Dumlao said in a press briefing.</p><p>In a statement, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian noted a global ageing society trend, adding that such sector needed support.</p><div><br/></div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Department of Social Welfare and Development to lead ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council Meetings in Makati this week.<br/><br/>DSWD Spokesperson Asec. Irene Dumlao says one of the topics to be discussed is the situation of migrant workers in the Middle East amid the conflict. <a href="https://t.co/FZwPs79hJz">pic.twitter.com/FZwPs79hJz</a></p>— Jekki Pascual (@jekkipascual) <a href="https://twitter.com/jekkipascual/status/2028329584090042861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2026</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><div><br/></div><p>Gatchalian said there should be policies and programs that empower the elderly to remain active, productive and engaged.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/2/commission-on-population-and-development-to-look-into-policies-for-aging-sector-of-ph-1633"><strong>READ: Population commission looking into policies for aging sector<br/></strong></a></div><p>Aside from the ageing sector, Dumlao said other priority sectors include families and the youth.</p><p>“We will be promoting the establishment of the ASEAN Network for Family Development because of we truly recognize that family is the basic unit of the society and it plays an integral role in nation building,” she said.</p><p>Dumlao said they would also discuss the situation in the Middle East, where an escalating conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran is taking place. The region is home to many migrant workers from Southeast Asia.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/3/1/pinay-caregiver-in-israel-killed-in-airstrike-marcos-jr-2117"><strong>READ: Pinoy caregiver in Israel killed amid Middle East airstrikes<br/></strong></a></div><p>“The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community is actually closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East… The ASEAN nationals of member states who will be affected by the current turmoil will receive the appropriate support and assistance,” she said.</p><p>The meetings will revolve around &quot;RISE&quot; or Resilient and empowered families, Inclusive development, Smart youth and innovation, and Environmentally sustainable and food secure future.</p><p>Some of the expected outcome documents include the Regional Action Framework on the Silver Economy, Regional Plan of Action on Family Resilience and Social Protection, ASEAN Youth Digital Resilience Charter, among many others.</p><p>“Ensuring that all our efforts lead to a more people-oriented and people-centered region. So we will be, the Philippines through the DSWD will be taking this opportunity to really promote that agenda,” Dumlao said.</p>

<p>The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will focus on strengthening programs for the elderly, families and youth as it leads ASEAN meetings in Makati, an official said.</p>

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will focus on strengthening programs for the elderly, families and youth as it leads ASEAN meetings in Makati, an official said.