President Marcos inspects PICC ahead of November Asean summit

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday led a walkthrough of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, one of the main venues of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Summits in Metro Manila from Nov. 16 to 18.

The regional meeting will be held under the theme: “Navigating Our Future, Together.”

According to the Presidential Communications Office, preparations are underway to ensure the Philippines is ready to welcome regional leaders and delegates for these high-level meetings.

On Thursday, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) joined an inter-agency coordination meeting with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of Tourism and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to coordinate measures to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the summits.

The measures being done by the Metro Manila Police include increasing police visibility, providing security coverage along routes to be used and conducting intelligence and information monitoring in strategic areas, such as summit venues, hotels, airports and major transport hubs.

“Our preparation is centered on coordination, readiness and rapid response,” NCRPO officer in charge Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano said in a statement yesterday.

Malacañang has declared Nov. 16 to 18 as special non-working days in Metro Manila under Proclamation 1447. The three-day work suspension aims to ease traffic congestion and allow the Philippines, as host country, to ensure the safety and security of summit participants.

Several ASEAN-related meetings will also be held in Metro Manila next month, including the 16th ASEAN Maritime Forum on Nov. 17 and the 14th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum on Nov. 18.

On Monday, Marcos will appear on singer Gary Valenciano’s podcast, “Unshaken” at 12 p.m. on YouTube and other major podcast platforms. — EJ Macababbad