All is set for the events of the 2026 ASEAN Summit held in Cebu for the second time since 2007.
Stringent security measures are put in place, especially in Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan Island where meetings will take place on May 7 and 8.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.; the Sultan of Brunei, His Majesty Haji Hassanal Bolkiah; and ASEAN Secretary General, Dr. Kao Him Hourn, are scheduled to arrive in Cebu evening on May 6.
The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 assured full alert status in the duration of the summit.
At least 7,000 uniformed service personnel and force multipliers, as well as 2,850 logistical assets, have been deployed for the summit.
As part of security efforts, several roads in Mactan Island have to be closed for 15 to 30 minutes to allow the convoy of delegates to pass through.
“The lockdown is a measure to ensure na mas maiksi pa nga yung pagdaan ng ating convoy package. We have to provide a convoy package suitable for each head of state according to their requirements,” said PCol. Kimberly Molitas, spokesperson of PRO-7.
PARTICIPATION
Two more heads of state are scheduled to arrive in the Philippines on May 7.
All heads of state of ASEAN member countries have confirmed to participate in the summit, except for the leader of Myanmar who will be represented by its Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We are guided by the leaders’ decision… the representation of Myanmar stands,” said Department of Foreign Affairs Asst. Secretary for ASEAN Affairs and ASEAN 2026 Spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial.
The ASEAN leaders are expected to tackle the issue of energy security in line with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“The purpose of the summit is for the leaders to discuss the ways forward, lessons learned, and identify concrete measures,” Imperial said.
On May 7, the inaugural ASEAN-EU Sustainability Summit will also take place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Leaders Summit.
The sustainability summit is expected to gather up to 200 senior representatives from government, business, development institutions, and civil society to discuss issues, including sustainable agriculture, sustainable trade and supply chains, circular economy, ESG (environmental, social, and governance) leadership, and ASEAN-EU green cooperation.
HOLIDAY
In a proclamation signed by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on May 5, Malacañang declared a special non-working holiday for four Cebu:
- Lapu-Lapu City and Municipality of Cordova in Mactan Island
- Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City in mainland Cebu
“In order to alleviate traffic and allow the host country to secure the safety of participants in the said event, it is necessary to declare 06-08 May 2026 as special (non-working) days also in the City of Cebu and in the city of Mandaue,” Proclamation No. 1239 reads.
As added layer of security, a total gun ban is also in effect in the entire Cebu until May 11, 2026.
