PH, Singapore partner for child care, protection initiatives

The Philippines and Singapore signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday to work on social sector development, including initiatives supporting the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development signed the agreement following the conclusion of the High-Level Association of Southeast Asian Nations Socio-Cultural Community Council Forum 2026.

DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the partnership will cover social protection, family and child development, which includes programs on child protection.

Programs for persons with disabilities and women's empowerment will also be included.

“’Yung cooperation natin (our cooperation) will include institutional visits to facilities and centers and joint activities such as workshops and training programs to promote networking and strengthening cooperation because that is the essence of ASEAN, ‘yung (the) sharing of best practices and interventional cooperation,” Dumlao said.

Dumlao added that the Philippines could adopt Singapore’s best practices to further strengthen its social protection programs and services.

The Philippines is leading this year’s High-Level ASCC Council Forum 2026, which gathers ministers, senior officials, experts, youth leaders, and development partners to prioritize people empowerment for ASEAN’s future developments.

On Tuesday, the DSWD also chaired the 40th Senior Officials Committee for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community meeting in Makati City.

The meeting will culminate with the 35th ASCC Council Meeting, where regional ministers will formally adopt key frameworks and finalize priority social policies for Southeast Asia. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News