Recto convenes high-level meeting for PH hosting of ASEAN Summit

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Wednesday, Jan. 7, convened a high-level interagency meeting to ensure the Philippines' readiness to host this year's Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related meetings.

- By ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

Recto, who chairs the ASEAN National Organizing Council (NOC), led the meeting that tackled preparations across critical areas, including substantive planning, logistics, procurement, and agency-specific work plans for the country's yearlong hosting duties.

Those who attended were Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

Also in attendance were Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Rolando Toledo, and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez and senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Overseas Filipino Workers office, and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines were also present.

The Office of the Executive Secretary was represented by Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Maria Luwalhati Dorotan Tiuseco and Undersecretary Leonardo Roy Cervantes, along with Undersecretary Hellen De La Vega, director-general for operations of the ASEAN NOC.

The Philippines is set to host the 48th ASEAN Leaders' Summit and related meetings in Cebu on May 8 to 9.

This will be followed by the 49th ASEAN Summit and related summits scheduled for Nov. 10 to 12 at the newly renovated Philippine International Convention Center.