Malacañang on Thursday assured the public that the government is ready to account for the PHP22.9 billion allocated for the Philippines’ hosting of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits.
Speaking to Palace reporters, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified that the amount represents the total funding allocated for the country’s ASEAN chairship and does not necessarily mean the entire amount has already been spent.
She said the government has yet to provide a final accounting of expenditures but is ready to undergo an audit and submit reports detailing how the funds were utilized.
“Ang ASEAN Summit ay hindi isang simpleng event, ito ay event kung saan maipapakita natin bilang host kung paano ba ang Pilipinas magpakita ng pagprotekta lalung-lalo na sa mga liderato ng ibang bansa (The ASEAN Summit is not a simple vent. It is an opportunity for us, as host, to demonstrate how the Philippines can ensure the protection and security of foreign leaders),” Castro said.
She added that hosting the regional gathering would help strengthen the country’s partnerships and advance its national interests.
“Hindi lamang para ito isang event kung hindi para ito sa mga kababayan natin na makakaasa na ito ay magdudulot at magreresulta sa ating pagpupursige na rin nang magandang partnership at ma-advance ang national interest ng Pilipinas within the region (This is not merely about hosting an event. Our people can expect it to result in stronger partnerships and advance the Philippines’ national interests within the region),” she said.
Castro explained the preparations involved major infrastructure and venue improvements, including work on the Philippine International Convention Center, the Coconut Palace, and the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City.
She said the government also made extensive security preparations to ensure the safety of foreign leaders and delegates.
A total of 22,944 Philippine National Police personnel will be deployed for the summit, with support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Presidential Security Command, and the Highway Patrol Group.
Castro said more than 1,000 motorcycles, patrol vehicles, ambulances, K-9 units, tactical watercraft, trucks, and buses will be deployed as part of the security and logistical preparations.
She also cited improvements at airports and preparations for transportation and traffic management during the regional gathering.
She stressed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. would ensure that public funds are properly utilized, noting that all expenditures would be reported and subjected to an audit by the Commission on Audit (COA).
“Ang Pangulo hindi po ito gagastusin, hindi po ito pababayaang magastos nang hindi mapupunta sa tama. Ito po ay iri-report at ito ay masa-subject sa COA kaya dapat mapanatili ng gobyernong ito ang paglaban sa korupsiyon kaya lahat pong itong magagastos ay para din po sa bawat Pilipino (The President will not allow the funds to be spent improperly. These will be reported and subjected to COA audit as the government remains committed to fighting corruption. All expenditures must benefit every Filipino),” she said.
“Ang piso na magagastos natin ito ay investment para sa ating bansa at para sa ating mga Pilipino at Pilipinong manggagawa (Every peso we spend is an investment in our country, our people, and Filipino workers),” Castro added.
She rejected criticisms that preparations were being undertaken out of the President’s “vanity,” saying the improvements were intended to showcase the Philippines as a reliable partner and investment destination.
Responding to allegations that Filipinos were being made to suffer because of the supposed vanity of the President, Castro said the preparations were meant to improve the country’s image before the international community.
“Bakit ang Pangulo ba ang nagpapaganda sa sarili niya? Ano ba ang pinapaganda natin, hindi ba ang Pilipinas (Is the President making himself look good? What are we trying to improve? Isn’t it the Philippines)?” Castro said.
“Pinapaganda natin ang Pilipinas para makita ng ibang bansa na ang Pilipinas ay isang mapagkakatiwalaang bansa kung saan puwede silang maglagak ng kanilang investments (We are improving the Philippines to show other countries that it is a trustworthy nation where they can invest),” she added.
Castro also noted that the government has already completed 393 ASEAN-related meetings, with another 164 scheduled on Nov. 13 to 15, bringing the total to more than 550. (PNA)
