Young legislators across Southeast Asia were urged to play a leading role in shaping a more inclusive and united region, as House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III called for stronger solidarity and shared responsibility within ASEAN.
Speaking at the 3rd Consultative Meeting of the Young Parliamentarians of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Dy said the region’s future growth must be anchored on inclusivity to ensure progress benefits all sectors of society.
The Philippines hosted the virtual gathering, which brought together emerging lawmakers from across Southeast Asia.
With the theme of empowering future-ready leaders, the meeting focused on strengthening cooperation among young parliamentarians and advancing a people-centered regional agenda.
Dy, who serves as AIPA President for 2026, stressed that unity remains ASEAN’s greatest strength, noting that collective progress depends on how member states move forward together. He said economic gains must translate into meaningful improvements in people’s lives.
Despite ASEAN’s vast economic scale—covering nearly 700 million people and generating trillions in output—Dy said the region’s long-term success will depend on its youth, who make up a significant share of the population.
He also highlighted the Filipino value of “malasakit,” or a deep sense of care and responsibility for others, urging young leaders to adopt the principle in policymaking and regional cooperation.
During the meeting, Dy appointed Jonathan Clement “JC” Abalos II, representative of the 4Ps Party-list, as chairperson of AIPA’s Young Parliamentarians, expressing confidence in his leadership to deepen collaboration and address regional challenges.
Originally scheduled in Panglao, Bohol, the meeting was moved online due to cost and logistical considerations, including rising global travel expenses linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The gathering forms part of broader efforts to engage the region’s next generation of leaders in building a more cohesive, resilient, and inclusive ASEAN community.