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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Strict austerity measures for ASEAN Summit in Cebu set

Strict austerity measures for ASEAN Summit in Cebu set

Published May 5, 2026 04:25 pm
MARIA Hellen de La Vega (left), director general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations National Organizing Council, discusses preparations for the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu on Tuesday, May 5. (Photo via Calvin Cordova)
MARIA Hellen de La Vega (left), director general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations National Organizing Council, discusses preparations for the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu on Tuesday, May 5. (Photo via Calvin Cordova)
CEBU CITY – Strict austerity measures will be enforced when the Philippines hosts the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and related meetings from May 6 to 8 in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
Maria Hellen de La Vega, director-general of the ASEAN National Organizing Council (NOC), said the government is taking a “bare-bones and business-like” approach in response to ongoing global uncertainties and a declared national energy emergency.
“The priority is to address pressing regional concerns such as energy security, food security, and the safe mobility of ASEAN nationals,” De La Vega said in a press conference following the opening of the ASEAN International Media Center (IMC) at Mactan World Museum, Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu.
De La Vega emphasized that the scaled-down preparations are aligned with Executive Order (EO) No. 110 mandating energy conservation and prudent resource use across government agencies.
Through the EO, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. placed the country under a national energy emergency due to “imminent danger” to the country’s energy supply from global disruptions and rising oil prices caused by the continuing conflict in the Middle East.
Despite the challenges, De La Vega said ASEAN member states agreed on the importance of holding face-to-face discussions, citing the urgency of current regional and global challenges.
Dela Vega said some preparatory meetings were conducted virtually with the NOC, stationed at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, setting up a virtual meeting room system.
More than 50 virtual meetings have been conducted with 74 more set to be held using the system at the NOC.
The IMC opened a day before a series of high-level meetings were scheduled to be held.
From May 6 to 7, senior officials and ministerial preparatory meetings will be held simultaneously at Dusit Thani Mactan and Shangri-La Mactan.
The Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit will be held on May 7 at Shangri-La Mactan.
The summit will officially open on May 8 with a ceremony at Mactan Expo. Leaders’ meetings and a working lunch will take place at the same venue. ASEAN leaders will proceed to Shangri-La Mactan for the ASEAN Summit Retreat.
Marcos will hold a press conference at the IMC on May 8. The summit will end with a gala dinner to be hosted by the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

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ASEAN ASEAN Summit Lapu-Lapu City Cebu Austerity measures
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