The Philippines would need at least P22 billion to prepare for the hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in 2026, a Palace official bared.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin revealed this following the signing of the P6.326-trillion national budget for 2025 on Monday, Dec. 30, as he justified the supplemental funds the Office of the President (OP) asked, considering the country's upcoming hosting of the summit.
"[W]e only estimate, we may require P22 billion to prepare. Mabuti not all will come from the budget," Bersamin said during an interview at Malacañang, citing that venues such as the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) will be rented by the OP.
According to the Executive Secretary, Myanmar was supposed to be hosting the 2026 summit, however, due to the country's current situation, the task was passed on to the Philippines. Hosting of the summit follows the alphabetical sequence.
"As far as the budget of the OP is concerned, yung (the) NEP was followed pero dinagdagan ng P5.2 billion kasi may nangyari noong 2025---yung ASEAN 2026 would have been done in Myanmar pero biglang umayaw yung Myanmar kasi walang gustong pumunta roon na heads of state because you know the problem of Myanmar (but they added P5.2 billion but something happened—ASEAN 2026 would have been done in Myanmar but Myanmar begged off because heads of state did not want to go because you know the problem of Myanmar)," Bersamin said.
"So ASEAN 2026 to be hosted by the Philippines. We needed to start the work now. So humingi kami, after the submission of the NEP (National Expenditure Program), humingi kami sa Congress ng (We asked from the Congress) supplemental funds in addition to what we proposed for the OP sa NEP to the tune of P5.2 billion for 2025," Bersamin added.
It will take two years to prepare for the regional summit, the Palace official said, adding that it is a crucial part of the country's international affairs.
"Two years before kasi alam n'yo (because you know) that's a very gargantuan task and it is a showcase of Philippine politics, Philippine leadership, and Philippine social condition. Malaking effort 'yan (It requires a huge effort)," he said.
Bersamin also stressed that Marcos took the hosting responsibility as it is a "very important part of our international relations," and the President cannot allow ASEAN to skip a year.
"So komo alphabetical yung sequence ng pagho-hold ng ASEAN, letter P—Philippines is next. Inako ni Presidente 'yan kasi hindi maaaring payagan natin na walang ASEAN (Because the sequence of hosting is alphabetical, Philippines is next. President assumed the duties because we cannot allow ASEAN to skip a year) that's a very important part of our international relations," Bersamin said.
The Executive Secretary said after 2025, they will seek for "more, bigger but that will be in the NEP that will be submitted in 2025 for 2026."