MANILA – House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III announced on Saturday that the Philippines will scale back its hosting of this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) meetings. Only the General Assembly in October and the Interface Meeting in November will be held face-to-face, while all preparatory meetings will be shifted to virtual platforms.
Dy explained that the measure follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to streamline official engagements ahead of the upcoming ASEAN Summit and to address rising costs amid global economic pressures.
“Under the President’s guidance, we are implementing necessary cost-saving measures in our AIPA hosting, without affecting the core objectives of the meetings,” Dy said. “We are prioritizing key events while ensuring that parliamentary diplomacy continues smoothly.”
The House Speaker also noted that ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have pushed global oil prices higher, directly affecting travel and operational expenses for hosting large-scale gatherings.
“Patuloy po nating gagampanan ang iniatas na tungkulin sa atin bilang host ng AIPA. Gayunpaman, hindi natin puwedeng isantabi ang epekto ng krisis sa Middle East – lalo na ang pagtaas ng presyo ng langis – na direktang magpapabigat sa magiging gastusin kabilang ang plane fares at iba pang logistical requirements,” Dy said.
Deputy Speaker and Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Maria Rachel Arenas of Pangasinan, who is leading the House’s AIPA preparations, said the hybrid setup will ensure smooth coordination and maximize efficiency.
“We are aligning committees and delegations with the revised format. The General Assembly and Interface Meeting will continue in person as scheduled, while all other preparatory activities will be conducted online through secure platforms,” Arenas said.
She added that this approach reflects the Philippines’ flexibility in responding to global uncertainties while remaining fully engaged with ASEAN counterparts.
“This structure allows us to focus on productive engagements and ensures that our work is efficient, cost-conscious, and outcome-oriented,” Arenas said.
Speaker Dy reiterated that lawmakers remain committed to advancing a “people-first, forward-looking ASEAN.” He emphasized that using digital platforms not only reduces expenses but also protects public resources while maintaining strong parliamentary cooperation.
“Sa bawat desisyon natin, mahalaga pong palagi nating unahin ang kapakanan ng mamamayan. Digital platforms allow us to meet our responsibilities while keeping costs manageable and supporting ASEAN collaboration,” Dy said.
ia/xf
