ASEAN hosting all set — Palace

The Philippines is 100 percent ready to host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits this year, according to Malacañang.

In a briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Press Officer Claire Castro said the President led an inter-agency meeting at Malacañang to review preparations for the ASEAN 202 chairmanship, stressing that the country’s leadership of the regional bloc must bring tangible benefits to Filipinos and the region.

During the meeting, key government agencies presented priority plans focused on job creation, support for small businesses, improving digital services and strengthening people-centered programs.

Castro said President Marcos specifically pushed for ASEAN to focus on assisting the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao for the upcoming BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) at the ASEAN Summit.

She added that coordination among concerned agencies is ongoing to ensure a smooth, secure, and well-coordinated hosting of the summit.

Powerhouse team

Joining the President for the meeting were acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum, and PCO Acting Secretary Dave Gomez, along with other government officials.

The Philippines successfully hosted the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) Retreat and the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Cebu last week.

A founding member of ASEAN, the Philippines will host the 48th and 49th ASEAN Summits this year under President Marcos Jr.

The 2026 hosting will mark the country’s fourth time hosting the ASEAN Summit, following its 2017 hosting.