VIENTIANE, Laos (Eagle News) — Department of Social Welfare and Development or DSWD secretary Judy Taguiwalo on Wednesday spoke at the 16th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) council meeting in Vientiane, Laos.
Taguiwalo delivered the Philippine country statement and shared the Philippine government’s views and stands on the actions and programs of the ASEAN’s Socio-Cultural Community.
Taguiwalo said that the Philippine government welcomed its upcoming Chairpersonship of the Asean Socio-Cultural Community, especially in the helm of the new administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
She said that the Philippines had a number of priorities that it hoped to carry out next year. These are to:
-Ensure recognition, promotion and protection of the rights of migrant workers
-Ensure recognition, promotion and protection of the rights of the vulnerable sectors which include women, children, persons with disabilities, older persons, internally displaced persons and indigenous peoples, among others.
-Further promote appreciation of cultural heritage and strengthening the Asian cultural identity;
-Intensify access to health care and improved nutrition; and
-Promote the role of the civil service as a catalyst for achieving ASEAN vision 2025
Meanwhile, in the area of children’s rights, Taguiwalo said that the Philippine government supported the ASEAN children’s forum as one of the key mechanisms that drives children’s participation in ASEAN.
She also welcomed the decision of the ASEAN labor ministers to conclude an ASEAN instrument on the promotion and protection of the rights of migrant workers in April 2017.