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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH is ASEAN chairship-ready—Palace

PH is ASEAN chairship-ready—Palace

Published Feb 2, 2026 04:17 pm
Palace Press Officer and PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)
Palace Press Officer and PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)
The Philippines is ready for its Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairship, Malacañang said.
"Pilipinas, ASEAN-ready na (The Philippines is now ASEAN-ready)," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a briefing on Monday, Feb. 2.
This, after President Marcos led an inter-agency meeting at Malacañan Palace to review preparations for the country's ASEAN 2026 Chairship.
According to Castro, during the meeting, they discussed steps to strengthen the call to deliver direct economic benefits to the sub-region.
The President also wants to focus on providing assistance to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in preparation for the upcoming Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) ASEAN Summit and other important matters, she added.
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.
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 Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez, along with other government officials.
The Philippines 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.

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