CEBU, Philippines – Binigyang-diin ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang kahalagahan ng regional cooperation sa pagta-transform ng Southeast Asian region sa “resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centered region.”
Nag- host ang Pangulo ng isang gala dinner para sa Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders sa Mactan Expo Center sa Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, pagbubuod ng 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings.
Nagpahayag naman ng pasasalamat si Pangulong Marcos sa kanyag kapwa-Southeast Asian leaders para sa pagsuporta sa Philippine chairship at pagpapartisipa sa taunang pagtitipon sa kabila ng tinatawag na ‘recalibrated approach’ dahil sa kamakailan lamang na global developments.
“When the Philippines assumed the chairship, we had prepared to welcome you under different circumstances — to share more of our country, to celebrate our culture, and to show, in a richer way, the spirit and hospitality of the Filipino people. Instead, we have been asked to respond to a very different moment,” ayon sa Pangulo.
Habang ang rehiyon ay sinubok ng pinakabagong global challenges, sinabi ng Pangulo na patuloy na pinagtibay ng ASEAN member-states ang pagiging bukas, mutual respect at shared commitment sa regional stability.
Winika pa ng Pangulo na ang lakas ng ASEAN ay nagpatuloy na lumago sa pamamagitan ng kahandaan nito na tugunan at malampasan ang mga hamon.
“The strength of ASEAN has never depended on the absence of difficulty. It has grown on our willingness to confront difficulties — and that difficult realities that together we share and face as a region,” aniya pa rin.
“And in that regard, I believe ASEAN has responded as it always has — with steadiness, with pragmatism and with unity of purpose,” dagdag na wika nito.
Pinaalalahanan naman nito ang kanyang mga kapwa-ASEAN leaders na ang pagtutulungan ay nananatiling pinakamahalaga sa regional stability at kasaganahan.
Ang presensiya aniya ng mga ito sa summit ngayong taon ay nagpatibay sa ‘shared commitment’ ng rehiyon para sa mas malakas na alyansa at partnership.
“So as we leave this summit, may we do so with a clearer sense of purpose, a stronger commitment to one another, and the confidence that ASEAN can continue to shape a region that is resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centered,” ang sinabi pa ng Pangulo. (KRIS JOSE)
