ASEAN SUMMIT SCALED DOWN, SPOTLIGHT ON OIL, FOOD, AND MIGRANT WORKERS

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that the 2026 ASEAN Summit will be scaled down to a “bare bones” format due to the fuel crisis caused by Middle East tensions.

The summit, set for May 7–8, will focus on oil supply, food security, and migrant workers.

Marcos said he initially proposed postponing the meeting, but ASEAN members agreed it was important to coordinate efforts amid the crisis.

The P22 billion summit budget has been cut and redirected to those affected by the oil emergency.

The Philippines, the first country to declare a national energy emergency over the conflict, continues fuel negotiations while preparing for the shortened summit.

Source: PhilNews24 | March 28, 2026