A more coordinated and integrated Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is no longer merely an aspiration but a necessity amid rising geopolitical uncertainties, a senior official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference at the International Media Center in Cebu for the 48th ASEAN Summit, Undersecretary Allan Gepty said uncertainties stemming from the Middle East crisis have once again tested the resilience of economies worldwide, including the 11 member-countries of ASEAN.
“The current crisis underscores the need to deepen cooperation. National responses alone are not sufficient,” Gepty said.
“We must strengthen regional coordination—particularly in energy security, food security, logistics, and supply chain resilience…. A more integrated ASEAN is not just an aspiration; it is a necessity,” he stressed.
Gepty added that ASEAN’s strength lies in its unity and cooperation, describing the regional bloc as “an economic community that is coordinated, responsive, and forward-looking.”
He said ASEAN integration has, for decades, delivered tangible benefits to Member States, including the Philippines. Regional trade has allowed producers, businesses, and farmers to access larger markets, while micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been able to participate in regional value chains.
“Our people also gain access to a wide range of goods through trade, the ability to travel, work, and do business across neighboring countries with greater ease while creating more job opportunities from investments within Southeast Asia,” Gepty remarked.
“These are not abstract ideas. These are everyday advantages that come from our regional cooperation.”
The Philippines, a founding member of ASEAN, continues to play an active role in shaping the bloc, which has emerged as a key hub in the global economy for manufacturing, investments, innovation, and research and development.
Gepty said ASEAN’s importance becomes even more evident during times of crisis.
“When energy prices rise, supply chains tighten, and inflationary pressures build, ASEAN provides a platform for stability,” he said.
“Through regional cooperation, we help keep trade flowing, avoid unnecessary restrictions, and maintain investor confidence,” he added.
Gepty also emphasized the strategic role of Cebu, which is hosting the 48th Summit, as a logistics and economic hub at the crossroads of trade, tourism, and maritime connectivity in the region.
“By strengthening its role as a gateway for commerce and services, Cebu can help ensure that supply chains remain efficient and that economic activity continues to flow despite external disruptions. In doing so, it reinforces the Philippines’ role as a reliable and proactive partner within ASEAN,” he said.
Looking ahead, Gepty said the Philippines’ ASEAN chairship presents a critical opportunity to help shape the region’s economic future.
He cited the country’s Priority Economic Deliverables, including the implementation of the memorandum of understanding on the ASEAN Power Grid, promotion of regenerative and resilient agriculture systems, encouragement of foreign investments in green and high-growth sectors, development of rules for digital trade, and expansion of trade partnerships, including with Canada.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is the chair of 2026 ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.” (PR)
