Bohol to host 7 ASEAN

Meetings this January

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Bohol sits even with Manila, Cebu, Boracay, Laoag, Iloilo, Tagaytay, and Clark, as the country rolls the red carpet to welcome the region’s Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and its related meetings, with at least seven of these gatherings here in January.

This as the Philippines assumes the ASEAN Chair in 2026 when the region stands at the hresholds for global opportunities and its corresponding challenges.

A regional intergovernmental organization that promotes political cooperation, economic integration, security, and socio-cultural collaboration among Southeast Asian countries, the AEAN which was founded August 8, 1967 has currently Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and is recently admitting Timor-Leste into the bloc.

With its goals of maintaining regional peace and stability, promoting economic growth and trade and encouraging political dialogue and non-interference as well as fostering cultural and educational exchange, the ASEAN Summits comes to the Philippines this year, and Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado is making sure the events here are as smooth and seamless, shares Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte, during a coordination meeting at the Capitol Ceremonial Hall recently.

The meetings set for Bohol also presents as an opportunity for ASEAN dignitaries to experience the culture and shared heritage, here in Bohol where eco-cultural and heritage tourism becomes a part of their meetings, added the Department of Tourism.

For its preparations, apart from the physical set up that highlights Panglao island and Bohol’s tourist sports showcasing the unique culture and heritage, the Provincial ASEAN Executive Committee has caused to roll the preparations including security, peace and order and emergency response task groups for the January events.

The meetings, to be participated in by ministers, senior officials ministers, special envoys, technical working group members, industry leaders, journalists and tourism stakeholders, would be largely held in Panglao, but group tours have been arranged to specific tourism sites, according to the local organizing committee.

The first meeting, called the First meeting of the Economic Officials of Permanent Missions of the ASEAN member states to the ASEAN 2026 would be in Panglao from January 19-20, would be hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of International Trade Relations.

By the 21st, the 30th Cambodia, Lao-Peoples Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Vietnam Senior Economic Officials would happen, again, in Panglao.

Also, from January 20-22, the Department of Health hosts the Special Senior Official’s meeting on Energy with 400 participants and another ASEAN Center for Energy Greening Council Meeting at another posh venue in Panglao.

By the 26th to the 28th, the DTI hosts the Meeting of the ASEAN Trade Facilitation Joint Consultative Committee with 100 participants.

On January 29 to 30, DTI also hosts the Meeting of the Sub-Committee on ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement Rules of Origin, a gathering of about 60 TWG members.

By the 31st of January, 60 representatives from ASEAN states gather in Panglao for the Meeting of Coordinating Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement.

As the country accepts the responsibility with the Philippines now leading the ASEAN with unity, clarity, and purpose, the mission to steer the region toward greater resilience, deeper connection, and meaningful change that places people at the center of progress in the region, is Bohol’s guiding principle and immense task. (PIABohol)

ONE GOAL. Members of the local ASEAN organizing Committee set a coordination meeting with government agencies to prepare for Bohol’s hosting of at least 7 ASEAN meetings in Panglao starting next week, as the 11 country bloc convenes in the Philippines to dialog on regional security, peace and trade. (PIABohol)