ICM opens for the 48th ASEAN Summit, NOC outlines Summit focus

MACTAN NEWTOWN -- The International Media Center (ICM) officially opens in Lapu-Lapu, Cebu, welcoming local and international media covering the 48th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, as the central hub for coverage that provides journalists with the space and support to report, broadcast, and tell the story of a Summit that brings the region together at a critical time.

“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,” bared Hellen De La Vega, ASEAN 2026 National Organizing Council Director General for Operations.

De La Vega outlined the focus of the first summit on the Middle East crisis, including energy security, food security, and safe mobility for ASEAN nationals.  The Philippines' government agencies are working on strategic priorities under the ASEAN political security community pillar, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), with a framework called LEAD ASEAN.

For the ASEAN Economic Community pillar, led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the strategic priority framework is called SAIL ASEAN, focusing on trade and investment linkages, digital transformation, MSME development, creative economy, and sustainable and inclusive economies, De La Vega shared.

The ASEAN social, cultural community pillar, led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, has the strategic framework of RISE ASEAN, focusing on resilient and empowered families, inclusive development, smart youth and innovation, and environmentally sustainable food security.

According to De La Vega, the National Organizing Council has implemented a virtual meeting system at the Philippine International Convention Center, completing over 50 virtual preparatory meetings and scheduling 174 more to support the upcoming summit and address potential bad weather.

“We are inviting the media to stay at the IMC for the longest availability of coffee and to learn about the strategic priorities of LEAD, SAIL, and RISE ASEAN,” De La Vega said.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Dave Gomez on the other hand assured that it’s “All Systems Go” for ASEAN Summit.  He is confident that with adequate facilities, the IMC can provide a more comfortable environment for local and international media.

“More than 500 journalists ang magko-cover ng event, based from the accreditation numbers namin. Beginning today, magdadatingan na ‘yung mga kaibigan natin from the international media,” Gomez said. (Photos: MBCNewman & PND)