MANILA, Philippines – The US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines (ASEAN-BAC Philippines) formally unveiled on Wednesday an action plan with the aim of supporting the country’s chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year.
Under the framework “Advancing ASEAN: A Strategic Action Plan Supporting the Philippines’ 2026 Chairship,” the launching marks the culmination of a public-private consultation series led by the USABC and ASEAN-BAC, consolidating “actionable recommendations” reflecting the collective insights of government leaders, industry experts and USABC member companies, according to both Councils.
“This plan represents a consolidated voice of US business in Southeast Asia, and it's a formal commitment to stand alongside the Philippines during this critical chairship year,” USABC Philippine Country Representative Herminio Bagro III said.
“Our strategic vision is simple—an ASEAN that is resilient against global disruptions, inclusive in the benefits of its growth, and future-ready in its systems,” he said.
Among the vison and strategic objectives of the Strategic Action Plan are: strengthening food systems and environmental resilience; build crisis-resilient, people-centered health systems; modernize and secure regional supply chains; accelerate inclusive digital transformation and workforce development; and establish responsible AI governance as a regional competitive advantage.
Meanwhile, USABC President and CEO Brian McFeeters said the ongoing geopolitical and economic pressures brought about by the Middle East crisis and other disruptions makes the Strategic Action Plan “more relevant than ever.”
“It’s not an emergency action plan for the Philippines at this time, but it’s more of a long-term plan for ASEAN in how do you address these major challenges for the good of the economy,” he said in a separate press briefing.
The USABC and ASEAN-BAC early this month concluded a series of roundtable discussions with senior government officials, industry leaders, and regional experts to come up with a strategic action plan in support of the Philippines’ ASEAN 2026 chairship.
Both business groups formally presented the action plan to the Philippine government, represented by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Ma. Cristina Roque, during a ceremony in Pasig City.
The action plan was also supported by ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. through a video message aired during the event.
