IS ASEAN CARING ENOUGH? MALAYSIA’S PROGRESS, AND THE PHILIPPINES’ PATH FORWARD

In “Is ASEAN Caring Enough? Malaysia’s Progress, and the Philippines’ Path Forward,” Tengku Nur Qistina examines the care economy as a critical yet under-recognised pillar of ASEAN’s development agenda, particularly through a gender lens. The article highlights Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship as a turning point, showcasing initiatives such as the Care Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2026–2030, fiscal incentives, and regional advocacy that position care as central to economic growth, gender equality, and social protection. By contrasting Malaysia’s advances with developments in the Philippines and Indonesia, the piece underscores both the region’s uneven progress and the vast potential of a coordinated ASEAN care ecosystem—especially in the context of ageing populations and labour migration. Looking ahead to the Philippines’ 2026 Chairmanship, the article argues that ASEAN now has a rare opportunity to move from recognition to institutionalisation, embedding care as a driver of inclusive, sustainable, and people-centred regional development.