MALACAÑANG said on Tuesday that the Philippines’ hosting of the 49th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit and Related Summits would provide an opportunity to present the country as an investment destination and showcase its economic potential.
“It’s a big thing that we are now the host of ASEAN so we can show not only Filipinos but the whole world that the Philippines is a good place to put their capital,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said in a briefing.
She said business, trade, investment, jobs, and food and energy supply stand to benefit from the summit, which will be held on Nov. 15-17 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
US President Donald J. Trump is among the leaders confirmed to attend, the Palace earlier said.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been invited to take part in the summit plenary as Guest of the Chair, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement. “Brazil is a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN,” the PCO said.
Mr. Lula will fly to the Philippines for an official state visit on Nov. 14 to 15, the first by a sitting Brazilian president to the Philippines, it added.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. visited the venue on Tuesday as part of preparations for the regional gathering, Ms. Castro said.
“He needs to see what is still lacking because we should be almost done with the preparations,” she said.
The Palace also urged groups to raise their concerns ahead of the summit instead of staging demonstrations during the arrival of foreign leaders.
“You have time, you have plenty of time to say what you want to tell the government. It would be better if this were not timed with the arrival of our guests,” Ms. Castro said.
Transport group Piston has also announced a strike on Nov. 16, coinciding with the summit. Ms. Castro said the government would address any transport disruption caused by rallies.
Street clearings near the venues are a security matter, Ms. Castro clarified, with nearly 20 heads of state expected to converge on Metro Manila. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking