By Tracy Cabrera
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared the Philippines ready to host the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, assuring that preparations and security arrangements for the gathering of world leaders and other prominent personalities have been completed.
In a video message, Marcos said the summit, scheduled for November 15 to 18, would allow the Philippines to advance its position on pressing regional and international concerns.
“Many of these problems cannot be solved by us alone, which is why ASEAN is so important,” the President said.
He added that preparations had been undertaken in detail, expressing confidence that Filipino skills and creativity would be showcased during the international gathering.
Marcos also recognized the inconvenience experienced by residents and businesses as a result of security preparations and other logistical requirements.
Several establishments near the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, the main venue of the summit, were temporarily affected by the preparations.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), headed by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, has extended assistance to displaced vendors, including financial aid of P10,000 each.
However, complaints have surfaced over delays in distributing the assistance, particularly among the approximately 1,300 vendors affected by the temporary disruptions. Some vendors also reported that their names were missing from the agency’s list of beneficiaries.
Motorists have likewise encountered heavier traffic due to road rehabilitation works along major thoroughfares ahead of the summit.
Despite these concerns, Marcos described the country’s hosting responsibility as an honor, with around 20 world leaders expected to attend.
The Philippines intends to use its ASEAN chairmanship to push an agenda focused on issues affecting ordinary citizens, particularly food security, employment generation and economic stability.
