3 days ago
Marcos admin proposes P17-B budget for ASEAN 2026 hosting
The Marcos government has requested approval from Congress to spend over P17 billion on the ASEAN Summit Meetings in the Philippines next year.
In the 2026 National Expenditure Program submitted to lawmakers, a total of P17,495,734,000 was appropriated for the ASEAN Summit and its related meetings. The chunk of this amount shall be released directly to the Office of the President, with P10,783,656,000.
A total of P17,495,734,000 was allotted for the ASEAN Summit and its associated meetings in the 2026 National Expenditure Program that was submitted to lawmakers on Wednesday. A portion of this amount, P10,783,656,000, shall be released to the Office of the President.
The Philippines will assume the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year, with President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. saying that Manila will build on ASEAN's achievements in responding to the region's evolving priorities and in facing emerging challenges.
Marcos had directed the creation of a national organizing council (NOC) for the Philippines' hosting of the ASEAN meetings.
The countries that make up ASEAN are Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines. —VBL, GMA Integrated News