Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday highlighted the importance of adopting a people-centered, inclusive, and data-driven strategy for regional development. This announcement came as the department inaugurated the 1st Regional Consultation with Sectoral Bodies on Baselining and Target-Setting for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Results Framework at the Admiral Hotel in Malate, Manila.
According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary for Social Protection Policy Rodolfo Santos delivered the opening remarks on behalf of Undersecretary Adonis Sulit of the DSWD's Policy and Planning Group. Santos emphasized that developing the ASCC Results Framework is essential for translating ASEAN's shared vision into tangible and significant outcomes. Sulit serves as the Philippine leader for the Senior Officials Committee for the ASCC.
Santos remarked that as ASEAN progresses with the implementation of the ASCC strategic plan, the development of the ASCC results framework is a fundamental step in achieving measurable and meaningful outcomes. He stressed the importance of continuous consultation among sectoral bodies and stakeholders to ensure key performance indicators (KPIs), baselines, and targets are both technically robust and adaptable to the diverse conditions of ASEAN member states.
Citing preliminary regional data, Santos pointed out that over 70 socio-cultural measures are being monitored across ASEAN, addressing critical areas such as social protection coverage, youth development programs, and initiatives to enhance climate resilience. He noted that youth unemployment in the region averages 12 percent, highlighting the need for precise KPIs to guide targeted interventions in skills development, employability, and innovation.
Regarding social protection, Santos mentioned that while more than 50 million individuals across ASEAN benefit from such programs, significant gaps remain, especially among older persons, persons with disabilities, informal workers, and children in rural and marginalized communities.
He further stated that ASEAN's increasing vulnerability to climate-related disasters, impacting an estimated 27 million people annually, underscores the necessity of incorporating resilience indicators into the ASCC Results Framework to ensure sustainable and future-ready socio-cultural development strategies.
Santos noted that the regional consultation serves as a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration. Throughout the discussions, the goal is to refine and finalize the KPIs that will support the implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the ASCC Strategic Plan.
The DSWD official also expressed gratitude to the Government of Australia, through the Australia for ASEAN Futures Initiative, for their support of the consultation, which enhances ASEAN's capacity to plan, track, and deliver results for its citizens.
As the consultation concludes, Santos anticipates concrete and practical outputs such as a structured KPI matrix, clear arrangements for baseline data collection, and a shared understanding of roles, responsibilities, methodologies, and timelines. The two-day regional consultation gathers both onsite and online participants from ASEAN member states and ASCC sectoral bodies.
