In line with its role as the focal agency representing the Philippines to the ASEAN Sectoral Body on Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to host the ASEAN Inter-Sectoral Consultation for the Finalization of two outcome documents on February 7 and 8, 2023, in cooperation with the ASEAN Social Work Consortium, the ASEAN Secretariat and with support from UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office

These  documents are the Regional Guidance on Strengthening the Role of Social Workers and the Wider Social Service Workforce in Health; and the Regional Guidance on Strengthening the Role of Social Workers and the Wider Social Service Workforce in the Justice System.

The virtual consultation will provide an opportunity to feedback and further gather inputs from ASEAN Member States, relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and other international partners to enhance and finalize the regional guidance. Likewise, the consultation will address challenges and discuss opportunities to strengthen roles, competencies and capacities of social work, and the wider social service workforce in the health sector and justice system.

On the other hand, the regional guidance will be a significant document that will assist policy makers, managers, government officials, and the whole social welfare and development sector in ASEAN Member States (AMS) in planning, developing and supporting social workers and the wider social service workforce. It will be essential to the delivery of inclusive, accessible, multidisciplinary and responsive social services to raise quality of life, as well as in responding to the needs of the vulnerable and marginalized sectors of the society.

Pursuant to its commitment, the Department will continue to support activities of the ASEAN to foster camaraderie and international solidarity. ###