"This gathering represents a defining moment for social security in our region," GSIS President and ASSA Chair Jose Arnulfo "Wick" Veloso said. "With combined assets exceeding $1 trillion, ASEAN social security institutions have tremendous power to shape sustainable development across our economies."
The summit will bring together high-level delegations from Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Singapore, alongside Philippine social security institutions, including the Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), and GSIS.
Key cabinet secretaries from the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Tourism (DOT), Finance (DOF), and Foreign Affairs (DFA) have also been invited to participate in the event, highlighting the interconnection between social security, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability.
The ASSA sustainability pledge will introduce a new framework for social security in the ASEAN region, reinforcing the balance between economic growth and environmental responsibility.
“Palawan exemplifies how development and environmental protection can go hand in hand,” Veloso said. “Similarly, social security systems must adapt to meet present needs while ensuring long-term sustainability.”
ASSA Secretary General Joseph Philip Andres highlighted the collaborative approach of the summit.
“This gathering unites diverse ASEAN perspectives to tackle shared challenges,” Andres said. “By working together, we can accomplish more than any institution could achieve alone.” — Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
The ASEAN Social Security Association, comprising social security institutions in the region, was established in 1998. It aims to promote the development of social security in member countries through information exchange, best practices’ sharing and collaborative research.
