The Office of the President (OP) received a P5.2 billion increase in its 2025 budget to prepare for the country’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit in 2026, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed on Monday, Dec. 30.
“Yes, as far as the budget of the OP is concerned, iyong NEP [National Expenditure Program] was followed, pero dinagdagan ng 5.2 billion pesos,” Bersamin said in a press briefing after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law the P6.326 trillion budget for 2025.
The increase was prompted by Myanmar’s decision to forego its turn to host the ASEAN Summit, citing international concerns. As the next country in alphabetical order, the Philippines volunteered to take on the responsibility.
“Biglang umayaw iyong Myanmar kasi walang may gustong pumunta roon na heads of state because you know the problem about Myanmar,” Bersamin said.
“So, komo alphabetical iyong sequence ng pagho-hold ng ASEAN, letter P, Philippines ay next – inako ni Presidente iyan,” Bersamin added.
Bersamin emphasized the summit’s significance to the Philippines’ international relations, adding that preparatory work must begin immediately.
“ASEAN 2026 to be hosted by the Philippines, we needed to start the work now,” he said.
The P5.2 billion supplemental funds were requested after the NEP submission and will be used for initial preparations. Bersamin noted that additional funding would be proposed in future budgets to cover the full cost of hosting the summit.
“After 2025, we will ask for more, bigger, but that will be in the NEP that will be submitted in 2025 for 2026,” he added.
The Office of the President (OP) proposed a budget of P10.506 billion for next year, reflecting a 1.88% decrease from its allocation in fiscal year 2024.
Bersamin said that the budget is designed to adequately cover the logistical needs for responding to invitations from foreign leaders and pursuing diplomatic initiatives. These efforts, he noted, aim to attract job-generating investments that will accelerate the country’s post-pandemic economic recovery. (TCSP)
