The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is ready to host the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) council meetings scheduled at The Peninsula Manila on March 2-6.
Assistant Secretary Juan Carlo Marquez of the DSWD’s Policy and Planning Group assured the public that the department has long been preparing for the ASCC meetings and is ready to host the ASEAN senior officials and ministers.
“In terms of preparation, we are very prepared, lalo na sa pangunguna ng ating butihing Kalihim, Secretary Rex Gatchalian, na talagang very particular sa mga details, sa preparations, very hands on (especially under the leadership of Secretary Gatchalian, who is very particular about details and preparations, he’s very hands on),” Marquez said during a media forum at the DSWD Central Office on Thursday.
“Talagang bawat scenario or bawat token na ibibigay ay talagang sya mismo ang pumipili. Very personal talaga, from the Secretary, yung kanyang support (Every scenario, every token that will be given is chosen by him. His support is very personal).”
Apart from the preparations for the actual meetings, he said, the DSWD will also showcase the rich history and culture of the Philippines through heritage tours prepared for ASEAN member delegates.
“Itong ASEAN meetings ay hindi lamang sya naka-close sa apat na sulok ng meeting rooms. May mga times din na masho-showcase rin natin yung (The ASEAN meetings are not confined within the four walls of the meeting rooms. There will be times when we can showcase) what the Philippines has to offer in terms of food, in terms of tourism. This is our time to show how we love the Philippines and how rich the culture and heritage that we have,” he said.
“We will offer gastronomic tours, as well as heritage tours, for our delegates. Mayroon ding magpa-participate na ministers and senior officials sa mga tours na ito. Very interested sila rito, hindi lang doon sa mga documents, agenda ng meetings, at ito yung nilo-look forward din ng mga delegates once na mag-attend sila ng ASEAN meetings (Ministers and senior officials will also participate in these tours. They are interested, not only in the documents and meeting agenda, but they are also looking forward to these tours once they attend the ASEAN meetings).”
Talents of Filipino dancers and singers will also be featured during the welcome dinner and gala dinner for ASEAN ministers and senior officials.
“During the ceremonies, may mga in-invite tayo na mga children’s choir, local singers, para ma-showcase yung Filipino talent. Pag sa ASEAN, alam nila na pag Philippines, magaling kumanta (we invited children’s choirs and local singers to showcase Filipino talent. They know that Filipinos are good singers). We are prepared, and hopefully, we will be executing this very smoothly next week during the actual event of the ASCC,” Marquez said.
The Philippines will also present various Filipino cuisines from different regions in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, including tapsilog, chop suey, vegetable dishes, and even Tausug dishes.
Because the ASCC council meetings coincide with Ramadan, the DSWD also made special arrangements, such as setting up male and female prayer rooms for Muslim delegates.
“Lalo na at Ramadan, mayroon tayong special arrangements for them. Lalo na may oras sila kung kailan pwedeng kumain, before sunrise and after sunset. Inalam din natin ang kanilang mga dietary restrictions. Mayroon din tayong prayer rooms na sinet-up for them, male and female prayer rooms. Lahat ng cultural sensitivities ay tine-take note natin (Because it is Ramadan, we have special arrangements for them, especially the times when they will be able to eat. We also learned about their dietary restrictions. We also have separate prayer rooms for men and women. We took note of all cultural sensitivities),” Marquez said. (PNA)
