THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) remains committed to strengthening inter-regional cooperation in ensuring the safety of nationals from region caught in the conflict in the Middle East. Social Welfare and Development Secretary Irene Dumlao made the remark when asked whether the Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) will tackle the situation in the Mideast. The Philippines, through the ASCC Pillar, is hosting this week the 40th Senior Officials Committee for the Asean Socio-Cultural Meeting and the 35th ASCC Council Meeting. “The Asean Socio-Cultural Community is actually closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East,” Dumlao said in briefing on Monday. “We will be coordinating closely with relevant partners to ensure that Asean nationals, even [non] member states who would be affected by the current turmoil will receive the appropriate support and assistance,” Dumlao said. “Again, for the ASCC, the family is an important factor that we need to protect. So, yes, it will be one of the discussions or it will be one of the priority areas in the discussions of the age,” she added. Dumlao said the Philippines, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development as chairman of the ASCC Pillar, is championing “people empowerment” guided by the theme “RISE Asean.” She said RISE stands for “R - Resilient and Empowered Families, I - Inclusive Development, S - Smart Youth and Innovation, and E - Environmentally Sustainable and Food Secure Future.” Dumlao said the RISE Asean agenda aligns with the Asean Community Vision 2045, adding that this agenda “reinforces our shared aspiration for a people-oriented and people-centered Asean.” “It is guided by three core priorities: peace and security, prosperity, and people empowerment. These are pillars that affirm that our collective future rests on the strength and resilience of the communities we nurture today,” Dumlao said.