(Photo courtesy of PCO)
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines officially opened the International Media Center (IMC) on Friday, November 13, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City, providing a dedicated hub for local and foreign journalists covering the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits.
The facility will serve as the main media headquarters during the regional gathering scheduled from November 15 to 17, offering workspaces, broadcast facilities, press briefing areas and connectivity services to support comprehensive news coverage.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Lino Cayetano led the inauguration alongside Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay and ASEAN 2026 National Organizing Council Director-General Hellen de la Vega.
Cayetano said the media center was designed to provide journalists with a comfortable and efficient working environment while introducing international visitors to Philippine culture, industries and local communities.
“This place was built for you. This place was built so you can do your jobs, do it well, do it comfortably,” Cayetano said.
He also emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting journalists in explaining the significance of diplomatic discussions and regional cooperation to the public.
Beyond its media facilities, the IMC features an Experiential Pavilion highlighting Filipino craftsmanship, cultural heritage and local products, including coffee and traditional delicacies from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Angara-Mathay said the summit provides an opportunity to promote the Philippines as a tourism destination while showcasing the country’s cultural diversity and hospitality to international delegates.
“For the Department of Tourism, this means making the Philippines experience part of the summit itself, and we have brought that approach here to the International Media Center,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dela Vega underscored the crucial role of journalists in communicating ASEAN’s initiatives and priorities to communities across the region.
She said the facility reflects the government’s commitment to providing media organizations with the technology, infrastructure and support needed for timely and accurate reporting.
“This center is our way of ensuring that our media partners have the tools to tell stories accurately, quickly, and effectively,” Dela Vega said.
As ASEAN chair for 2026, the Philippines will welcome regional leaders and dialogue partners for high-level discussions on economic cooperation, regional security and other shared priorities.
The 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits will mark the culmination of the Philippines’ yearlong chairship of the regional bloc.
