ASEAN tackled village-to-village dev't to improve rural areas, says DSWD chief

LABUAN BAJO—The ASEAN is pushing for village to village development among its member states in order to improve the living condition in rural communities.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian told GMA News Online that village-to-village development was among the topics heavily discussed during the minister's level meetings on ASEAN Socio-Cultural Council in Bali.

"From my understanding the ASCC ASEAN Socio-Cultural Council will put forth the outcome document on the matter in the next ASEAN Summit. The idea of this concept is to hasten the development of communities in the region especially [in] rural communities, the free flow of best practices, best concepts between communities will be encouraged," Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian said other topics tackled include migrant workers and family members in crisis situation declaration, rights of migrant fishers, and one health initiative.

He said the village to village development was the "newest concept."

When asked if the plight of Filipino fisherfolks in the West Philippine Sea was discussed during the talks on rights of migrant fishers, the DSWD secretary did not provide further details.

Meanwhile, Gatchalian said he would join President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the BIMP- EAGA (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) meetings, "as human development issues may be taken up also."

Gatchalian is part of Marcos' official delegation to Indonesia this ASEAN Summit.—AOL/NB, GMA Integrated News