Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2026 National Organizing Council Director General for Operations Hellen De La Vega on Tuesday laid out the schedule of activities for the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings to be held in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu this week.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who chairs this year’s ASEAN, is set to meet with leaders of ASEAN member states — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam — for the biannual summit, where pressing issues such as regional security, energy and food concerns, safety of ASEAN nationals and economic cooperation are expected to be discussed.
Speaking during the opening of the International Media Center (IMC), De La Vega said Senior Officials’ and Ministerial Preparatory Meetings will take place simultaneously on May 6 to 7 at Dusit Thani Mactan and Shangri-La Mactan.
She said the meetings will be followed by the Special BIMP-EAGA Summit on the afternoon of May 7 at Shangri-La Mactan, which will be attended by leaders from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
The 48th ASEAN Summit will officially begin on May 8 with an opening ceremony at the newly constructed Mactan Expo located within Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City. Leaders will hold their meetings and working lunch there before proceeding to Shangri-La Mactan for the Retreat Session.
President Marcos is scheduled to hold a press conference at the IMC at 4 p.m., while a gala dinner hosted by the President and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos will cap the summit.
Meanwhile, De La Vega also highlighted the role of the media in covering the summit, particularly amid evolving geopolitical challenges.
“During this time of uncertainty, we recognize the significant role of the media as our partner during our Chairship of ASEAN 2026,” she said.
"Beyond reaching international and regional audiences, the media plays a crucial role in helping not only Filipinos but also ASEAN nationals better understand how the ASEAN Summit and its Related Meetings translate into tangible benefits for all,” she added.
She also cited government efforts to ensure prudent use of resources, saying preparations are guided by austerity measures in line with a declared state of national energy emergency and energy conservation directives of President Marcos.
Despite constraints, ASEAN member states agreed on the need for in-person discussions to address urgent concerns, including the Middle East conflict and its impact on energy and food security, and safe mobility of ASEAN nationals.
“The President directed us to proceed with a bare-bones and business-like 48th ASEAN Summit focused on the pressing issues that needed to be addressed and without the need for much frills or fanfare,” De La Vega said.
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