President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. officially announced on Thursday that the Philippines will prioritize regional trade enhancement, resilient supply chains, and expanded business opportunities as the nation assumes the Chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations–Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) for 2026.
During a formal handover ceremony at Malacañan Palace, marking the transition from Malaysia to the Philippines, President Marcos unveiled the strategic vision for the upcoming year under the theme: “Navigating Our Future, Together.”
The President emphasized that the Philippine Chairship will focus on creating tangible economic benefits through the development of regional corridors. “We place strong emphasis on building economic corridors that expand trade and investment, strengthen regional supply chains, and open doors of opportunity for businesses and communities across ASEAN,” President Marcos stated.
The administration aims to serve as a bridge between the public and private sectors, providing high-level platforms for policymakers, investors, and innovators to deepen regional cooperation and bolster investor confidence in the ASEAN bloc.
The 2026 agenda is anchored on four strategic pillars designed to align with the Philippines’ national developmental goals:
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People: Empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and marginalized sectors.
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Planet: Promoting sustainable practices and environmental resilience.
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Platform: Advancing a digital and AI-enabled ASEAN to remain competitive in the global tech landscape.
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Productivity: Strengthening food security, agricultural output, and industrial growth.
As ASEAN-BAC prepares to celebrate its Silver Anniversary, President Marcos highlighted the indispensable role of the private sector in translating regional policy into real-world prosperity. He expressed full confidence in the ASEAN-BAC Philippines team to lead the council with competence.
“ASEAN’s strength has always rested on our collective ability to build upon what has been achieved and to move forward together,” the President noted, reinforcing the commitment to a more integrated and prosperous Southeast Asian economy.
