Manila, February 2 (AseanAll) — Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on February 2, 2026 led an inter-agency meeting at Malacañan Palace to review preparations for the Philippines’ Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2026 Chairship, 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.
In a Palace press briefing, Philippine Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reaffirmed that the Philippines is fully prepared to host the biannual summit this year.
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.
The meeting was attended by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-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.
Established in 1967, ASEAN is a regional bloc that promotes political cooperation, economic integration, and regional stability among Southeast Asian nations.
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 to host the ASEAN Summit. The Philippines last hosted the event in 2017 during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
