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The International Media Center for the weeklong ASEAN Tourism Forum and ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Cebu. Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News

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Organizers finalize preps for weeklong ASEAN meetings in Cebu

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769319136253ASEAN.jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The International Media Center for the weeklong ASEAN Tourism Forum and ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Cebu. <em>Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – Organizers and media liaisons on Sunday finalized preparations for the weeklong Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings here in Cebu, as some delegates and members of the media arrived in the province this weekend.</p><p>Media liaisons conducted an operations briefing at the International Media Center in Mandaue City, where more than a hundred local and foreign media would stay for the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) and ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat.</p><p>Tight security measures were imposed at the International Media Center and only registered media are allowed to access pool coverages and high-level conferences in Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Cebu City, among other places.</p><p>Philippines’ hosting of the 2026 ATF is set to open this Monday in Cebu City, where tourism ministers, national organizations, and industry stakeholders from around Southeast Asia are expected to participate in key policy meetings.</p><p>The Philippines&#x27; ATF hosting provides a platform to showcase the country’s vibrant culture, famous destinations, classic Filipino hospitality, and other tourism offerings to key members of the international community.</p><p>Its formal opening ceremony is set for Wednesday, January 28.</p><p>Aside from the high-level meetings of leaders and tourism ministers, this year’s ATF will mount the business platform ASEAN Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) – considered as ASEAN&#x27;s most important tourism trade exchange.  </p><p>According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), this event sought to connect key stakeholders and let them explore different destination products and services.</p><p>It will happen from January 28 to 30, which the DOT anticipates to be a “showcase of the region’s rich and diverse tourism offerings.”</p><p>The DOT has said that this tourism forum seeks to provide a platform that would show the Philippines’ “vibrant culture, world-famous destinations, classic Filipino hospitality, and other tourism offerings” to the world.</p><p>Meanwhile, according to ASEAN’s website, the regional bloc’s Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn is set to lead the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat from January 28 to 29, jumpstarting the discussions on the country’s ASEAN chairmanship priorities.</p><p>This will also supposedly be the guide for ASEAN&#x27;s work for 2026.</p><p>The Philippine National Police&#x27;s Central Visayas office said they began their security preparations for these events over a year ago, noting that there is strong coordination with other units and law enforcement personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, among others.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/20/ocd-says-emergency-response-task-group-to-boost-security-preps-for-asean-1623"><strong>READ: OCD says emergency response task group to boost security preps for ASEAN<br/></strong></a></div><p>Police Col. Kimberly Molitas, chief of the Regional Community Affairs and Development in Central Visayas, also told reporters they would be deploying around 9,000 police officers for the high-level meetings.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S9yHCDQnZJ8?&amp;pp=ygUXYXNlYW4gYWJzLWNibiBuZXdzIGNlYnU%3D&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><strong></strong><br/></div>

<p>Organizers and media liaisons on Sunday finalize preparations for the weeklong Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings here in Cebu, as some delegates and members of the media arrived in the province this weekend.</p>

Organizers and media liaisons on Sunday finalize preparations for the weeklong Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings here in Cebu, as some delegates and members of the media arrived in the province this weekend.

Organizers finalize preps for week of ASEAN meetings in Cebu

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Organizers finalize preps for week of ASEAN meetings in Cebu

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 25, 2026 03:49 PM PHT

Read More:

ASEAN 2026

ASEAN Tourism Forum

ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat

Cebu

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