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Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star
February 3, 2026 | 12:00am
President Marcos presides over a meeting at Malacañang yesterday on the preparations for the Philippines’ ASEAN 2026 chairship, during which key agencies presented updates on priority plans.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is ready for its hosting of this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, Malacañang said yesterday following President Marcos’ meeting with agencies involved in the preparations for the regional meet.
Agencies presented updates on their priority plans during the meeting, which tackled “concrete deliverables that create jobs, support small businesses, improve digital services and strengthen people-centered programs,” according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
The plans seek to ensure that the Philippines’ chairmanship of the ASEAN would bring clear benefits to Filipinos, the agency added.
“The Philippines is ASEAN-ready,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.?
“The meeting discussed steps to strengthen the delivery of direct economic benefits in the sub-region,” she added. “The agencies are closely coordinating with each other for the upcoming ASEAN Summit.”
Castro said Marcos also wants agencies to focus on helping the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in time for the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area or BIMP-EAGA summit.
Officials who attended the meeting at Malacañang included Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, his Senior Deputy Maria Luwalhati Tiuseco and Undersecretary Leonardo Cervantes; Secretaries Ma. Theresa Lazaro of foreign affairs, Ma. Cristina Roque, (trade) Rex Gatchalian (social welfare), Renato Solidum (science) and Henry Aguda (information and communications technology); Presidential Management Staff head Elaine Masukat; Mindanao Development Authority chief Leo Magno; Presidential Communications Office head Dave Gomez; Castro and ASEAN National Organizing Committee director-general Ma. Hellen de la Vega.
The ASEAN is a regional bloc founded in 1967 that promotes political cooperation, economic integration and regional stability among Southeast Asian nations.
The Philippines, a founding member of the regional bloc, will host the 48th and 49th ASEAN Summits this year, as holder of the revolving chair.
It will be the fourth time that the country will host the event.
The Philippines last hosted the regional meet in 2017. — Ghio Ong
