Tayo ang Taya (TAYA), in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), successfully conducted the third youth forum for the Luzon leg, CTRL+YOUTH: Shaping ASEAN’s Digital Future – ASEAN Public Consultations on Responsible Use of New Technologies and Digital Resilience, to gather grassroots perspectives on responsible innovation on Saturday (April 18).
The nationwide consultation series aims to elevate the voices of young Filipinos concerning digital resilience and emerging technologies in the ongoing Philippine chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026.
The movement is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to advance the country’s digital transformation and innovation agenda.
“This consultation reflects a priority initiative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian and is aligned with the priority of our President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to advance innovation and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) as part of the country’s digital transformation agenda,” officer-in-charge of the Policy and Development Planning Bureau (PDPB) Director Hannah Giray-Carcido said during the forum.
Engaging youth leaders from civil society, non-government organizations (NGOs), and student groups, the initiative guarantees that community insights directly inform regional engagements and national digital governance policies.
“In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, navigation has become more complex—but also more important. Habang lumalawak ang papel ng artificial intelligence at emerging technologies, hindi lang technical skills ang kailangang hasain ng mga kabataan, kundi values of responsibility, inclusivity, critical thinking, and innovation,” Director Giray pointed out.
Building on the successful consultations in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) that gathered essential youth perspectives, the Luzon leg initiative now seeks to capture local youth voices and further expand critical discussions surrounding AI and digital transformation.
“The recent shifts toward digital and hybrid systems have shown that technology now shapes how we learn, how we participate, organize, and respond to disruptions,” Director Giray said.
The online session featured plenary discussions with Mr. Ade John Gestole tackling youth capacity building against misinformation and Ms. Shawntel Nicole Nieto discussing how technology can be leveraged for inclusive community development.
“Higit sa lahat para sa DSWD, at sa lahat na rin ng ahensya ng pamahalaan, mahalaga ang inyong boses; your ideas, your insights matter, not only for today’s discussion but in helping shape the policies, the recommendations, and even the conversations towards building an ASEAN Community Vision 2045,” Director Giray pointed out.
Following the presentations, participants broke out into a Youth Consultation Circle where they exchanged thoughts and consolidated their opinions on navigating the digital space responsibly.
“Speak Up, share boldly, challenge ideas, let’s co-create solutions, because here, in our control leave consultations, the future is something that We don’t simply wait for the youth to help shape,” Director Giray stated. (PR)
