House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III is challenging young legislators in Southeast Asia to lead efforts to place inclusive development at the center of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation's (ASEAN) agenda.

At the third consultative meeting of the Young Parliamentarians of AIPA (YPA), hosted by the Philippines and held virtually, Dy said the region’s next phase of growth must be anchored on unity and shared responsibility.

Held under the theme “ASEAN Youth: Strengthening Solidarity and Empowering Future-Ready Leaders,” the meeting brought together young lawmakers across the region to help shape a more inclusive and forward-looking ASEAN agenda.

“ASEAN is strongest when all of us move forward as one. And I am confident that the young leaders gathered here today have the energy and conviction to build that future,” Dy said as he opened the meeting Tuesday, April 28 in his capacity as ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) President for 2026.

Dy underscored that economic gains must translate into meaningful outcomes for people across Southeast Asia. “Prosperity without unity is hollow, and that progress is genuine only when it benefits everyone,” he said.

The Speaker from Isabela's 6th district noted that despite ASEAN’s scale—nearly 700 million people and a $3.8-trillion economy—its long-term trajectory will depend on its youth.

“ASEAN remains a model of regional cooperation… But its future rests on you as our young leaders—who make up one-third of our population,” Dy said.

Citing the Filipino value of “malasakit (compassion)", Dy urged young parliamentarians to ground their work in care and accountability. “In the Philippines, we call this malasakit—a deep sense of care and responsibility for others. It is this spirit that must guide ASEAN as we move forward together."

During the meeting, Dy formally appointed 4Ps Party-list Rep. JC Abalos II as chairperson of the Young Parliamentarians of AIPA (YPA).

“I am confident that his leadership will guide the YPA toward greater cooperation, integration, and relevance in our region,” he said.

Originally slated to be held in Panglao, Bohol, the shift to a virtual format is part of the Philippines’ calibrated hosting approach to streamline engagements and manage rising global costs, including higher travel expenses driven by tensions in the Middle East.