Cebu a fitting place to hold ASEAN Summit — PBBM
“More than just playing a vital role in shaping the history of the country, Cebu stood witness to regional advancements that made ASEAN what it is today," President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said.
Photo from PCO
ASEAN CMASC | May 8, 2026
Cebu’s rich history as a pre-colonial trading hub and as a gateway to the Philippines made the ASEAN Summit more meaningful, according to President Ferdinand R. Marcos. Jr.
In his welcome remarks at the Opening of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Friday, the President said the province has achieved landmarks in history such as the birth of Philippine international connectivity, the introduction of spiritual and cultural heritage, and the beginnings of a major regional hub.
“It is especially meaningful that we gather in this historic place. As a pre-colonial trading hub, the historic province of Cebu has served as a gateway to our beautiful country. Long before our modern borders existed, Cebu already stood as a crossroads of trade, ideas, and peoples,” President Marcos said.
“More than just playing a vital role in shaping the history of the country, Cebu stood witness to regional advancements that made ASEAN what it is today.“
Twenty years ago, within these very grounds, leaders of our region signed the Cebu Declaration on the Blueprint of the ASEAN Charter which marked significant progress in transforming ASEAN’s cooperation framework into a stronger, more coherent institutional architecture laying the essential groundwork for the eventual signing of the ASEAN Charter in 2007,” President Marcos said.
And for the 48th ASEAN Summit, the region is once again placed in a position to rally themselves towards a shared future.“
“It is therefore a fitting place for our summit, providing us with a valuable opportunity to advance regional cooperation, economic resilience, and sustainability under the Philippine Chairship anchored on the theme, ’Navigating Our Future, Together.’ We once more find ourselves here in Cebu at a defining moment in our shared journey,” the Philippine Chief Executive added.
The summit in Cebu is taking the spotlight as the ASEAN Member States gather amid the Middle East crisis that has impacted global supply chains.
Before the ASEAN Summit, Ministerial Meetings were held that refocused the agenda for the Leaders’ Summit, with an emphasis on energy security, food security, and safeguarding the safety of ASEAN nationals.
While each ASEAN Member State experience challenges individually, President Marcos extended his gratitude to his colleagues in making the time to discuss the future of the region.
“My appreciation extends to ASEAN and our partners in ASEAN, because despite facing deep challenges of your own, you have come to support us and to work with us to respond to this crisis,” the Philippine President said.
“If there is one lesson ASEAN has learned over the decades, it is that difficult times do not divide us.”