MANILA — Malacañang has defended the P22.9-billion budget for the Philippines’ year-long chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), insisting that the massive allocation is necessary to ensure the country’s readiness for international engagements and avoid a repeat of the embarrassing preparations for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Friday that the Marcos administration wants to prevent the Philippines from again drawing international criticism over inadequate preparations, as happened during the regional sporting event under former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Tandaan natin noong nagkaroon dito ng 2019 SEA Games, lumabas na hindi ganun kaprepara,” Castro said in an interview with GMA News’ Unang Balita.
“Tayo ay naibalita sa buong mundo… na bakit ganito lang ang pag-prepare ng Pilipinas sa panahon ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte sa SEA Games. Ayaw maranasan ng gobyerno ‘yan dahil dapat prepared tayo,” she added.
Amid questions over the hefty allocation, Castro clarified that the P22.9 billion covers the country’s entire ASEAN chairmanship, not merely the 49th ASEAN Summit in November.
She stressed that the amount represents an approved budget and does not mean the government has already spent the entire allocation.
According to Castro, the Philippines has already conducted 393 ASEAN-related meetings, with another 164 activities scheduled as part of its chairmanship responsibilities.
The budget covers venue and facility improvements, security arrangements, personnel deployment, logistical requirements and airport infrastructure upgrades necessary to accommodate foreign leaders and delegates.
Meanwhile, Castro rejected allegations that the installation of barriers featuring artworks by National Artists along Diokno Boulevard was intended to conceal poverty from visiting foreign dignitaries.
She maintained that the installations were designed to showcase Filipino culture and promote the country’s attractions to international visitors.
Castro urged Filipinos to help project a positive image of the Philippines during the summit rather than contribute to negative publicity that could undermine the country’s international reputation.
Nevertheless, she acknowledged that the country’s poverty problem remains a reality that cannot be addressed simply by keeping it out of public view.
“Hindi naman talaga natin dapat takpan ang kahirapan. Reality ‘yan,” she said./PN
