The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with youth-led Tayo ang Taya (TAYA), convened young leaders and stakeholders for the “Ctrl+Youth: Shaping ASEAN’s Digital Future” consultation held at the GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City.
The May 2 activity forms part of the ASEAN Public Consultations on Responsible Use of New Technologies and Digital Resilience. It aims to gather insights from the youth sector to help shape policies and frameworks on digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital resilience across the region.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian underscored the critical role of young people in navigating the evolving digital landscape.
Sec. Gatchalian said in a video message to the participants, “With the rise of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, we recognize the need to ensure that our youth are equipped not only with technical skills but also with values that uphold responsibility, inclusivity, and innovation. The recent global shift towards digital and hybrid systems has further highlighted the importance of digital resilience.”
Addressing the various youth leaders and organizations present during the event, the DSWD chief noted that their active participation is crucial in moving forward.
Sec. Gatchalian pointed out, “This 2026, we focus on ensuring that our young people are prepared to participate in the global digital economy while promoting the ethical and responsible use of technology. Your voices today are essential in shaping the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
The insights you share will help guide policies and initiatives that reflect the realities and aspirations of our youth. At the DSWD, we believe that a digitally empowered, inclusive community is key to building stronger families and a more inclusive ASEAN Community.”
Undersecretary Adonis Sulit of the DSWD’s Policy and Planning Group (PPG) highlighted the importance of youth participation in ASEAN processes, particularly within the socio-cultural pillar.
Undersecretary Sulit said, “Nakikita lagi ni Secretary (Rex), kailangan nating ma-tap as many youth as possible when we chair ASEAN. That’s why, through the help of the youth organizations and by the National Youth Commission, we organized this consultation.”
The DSWD senior official highlighted the importance of the consultation in forming the draft charter of digital resilience.
Usec. Sulit emphasized, “The socio-cultural pillar of ASEAN has the most number of sectors and one of those sectors is the youth. That’s why the DSWD is doing this in partnership with NYC and the different youth organizations, because youth is one of the sectors under the socio-cultural community.
Kaya kayo nandito, kaya tayo nagkakaroon ng consultation so that you can input directly through the DSWD your vision or your comments to the draft charter of digital resilience.”
Empowering Filipino youth to become tomorrow’s digital media stewards
The consultation gathered youth leaders from civil society organizations, student groups, community-based organizations, and youth advocates, who actively participated in focus group discussions to craft manifestos on responsible technology use and digital safety.
The program also featured a presentation of legislations regarding digitalization and the proper use of technology from Tingog Party-list Representative Jude Acidre, along with messages of support from organizations, including the National Youth Commission (NYC), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the UP-National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG).
For the youth participants, the initiative provided a platform to expand their knowledge and amplify their voices in shaping the country’s digital future.
Jeanina Pineda, Media and Creatives Head of Angat Kabataan Valenzuela, expressed appreciation for the DSWD’s engagement with the youth sector.
Pineda said, “I was really surprised that this event was in partnership with DSWD considering that they have a lot of initiatives as well for the youth and focusing on the betterment of the community. I was really happy that they had this successful event.”
Meanwhile, Emark Ojo of Valenzuela DigiChamps Youth highlighted the value of the consultation in strengthening youth leadership.
Ojo said, “I’m so very thankful with DSWD as well as the other organizations and mga collaborators po under this project, kasi with this project po, nakatulong po siya para kami pong mga lider kabataan ng iba’t ibang organization, mas napalawak pa po yung kalaman namin pagdating sa pagiging responsable sa technology.”
The Ctrl+Youth consultation underscores the DSWD’s commitment to inclusive governance by ensuring that the voices of the Filipino youth are integrated into the country’s contributions to ASEAN’s digital agenda and long-term vision. (PR)
