QUEZON CITY, (PIA)—President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. left on Tuesday (May 9, 2023) to participate in the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia from May 9-11, 2023.

In his departure speech, President Marcos said his participation at the ASEAN Summit will serve to promote and protect the interest of the country, including the continued efforts towards economic growth.

“I will join other ASEAN leaders to advance our community-building efforts in the region and ensure the well-being and security of our people,” President Marcos said.

The leaders of the ASEAN will also exchange views on pressing issues of common concerns such as developments in the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar among others.

President Marcos will also be attending the 15th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia,

“In these meetings, we will have the opportunity to highlight the importance of strengthening cooperation in the BIMP-EAGA subregion to sustain its thriving economy,” President Marcos said.

The 42nd ASEAN Summit  with the theme, ‘ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,’ chaired by President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, is the first of two ASEAN Summits this year. (PIA-NCR))