Asean chairship: A path to sustained prosperity
We are entering the fourth quarter of 2026 and the Philippines’ Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) chairship is drawing to a close. Asean’s 11 member nations take turns leading the regional bloc, so the opportunity to shape its agenda does not come often.
The task now is to sustain the opportunities created this year for both the region and our own economy. We may hold the chairship for only a year, but its initiatives can create opportunities for Filipino businesses long after political leadership changes.
Our chairship has sought to open doors through trade agreements and stronger regional cooperation. This must support a long-term national strategy that delivers gains felt by ordinary Filipinos.
The Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) is a good example. President Marcos said the LEC is more than a collection of infrastructure projects; it is a strategy for organizing growth. By integrating transport, logistics, energy, digital connectivity, and advanced manufacturing, the corridor can strengthen the country’s productive capacity and competitiveness.
The LEC links Subic’s maritime and industrial gateway, Clark as an emerging aviation and urban center, Metro Manila as the capital and commercial center, and Batangas as a manufacturing and trade hub. Better connections among these areas can reduce business costs, improve the movement of people and goods, and help Filipino enterprises reach regional and global markets.
Initially conceived as a tripartite agreement among the Philippines, Japan, and the United States, the LEC now enjoys support from a multinational coalition of investors from 13 nations. This reflects strong international confidence. The challenge is to convert that confidence into firm commitments and commercially viable projects.
Most significant is the LEC’s potential to give the Philippines greater access to the Asean market through stronger production capacity. Such access matters only if we have the infrastructure and industries needed to produce competitive goods and services.
The LEC can also provide a concrete platform for carrying forward the priorities developed during our Asean chairship. The Philippine chairship creates diplomatic and business momentum; the LEC can translate that momentum into investment, infrastructure, and supply chain projects.
The corridor seeks to mobilize private capital and public-private partnerships across energy and water, transport and logistics, digital connectivity, and advanced manufacturing. Together, these can reinforce critical supply chains and position the Philippines as a competitive manufacturing, logistics, technology, and regional maritime hub.
International partners are already showing how they can contribute. Denmark has committed to bringing its maritime expertise into the LEC. Danish Ambassador to the Philippines Franz-Michael Mellbin highlighted how a revitalized shipbuilding and ship repair sector can strengthen industrial competitiveness, retain more economic value in the country, and reinforce the corridor as a gateway for regional trade. Shipbuilding, ship repair, shipbreaking, and maritime manufacturing can create opportunities for thousands of Filipinos.
Sweden is also looking to support innovation in key growth sectors. Its areas of interest include infrastructure beyond Metro Manila, reliable and diversified energy, and a stronger manufacturing base in industries of the future, including digitalization, medical devices, health care, renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable mining, and minerals processing.
Australia, meanwhile, has brought major investors to Manila to explore opportunities in energy, transportation, and infrastructure. The delegation represents 1.4 trillion Australian dollars in assets under management, underscoring the scale of international capital looking at the Philippines.
Beyond this year, the LEC can help sustain partnerships formed during the chairship and move conversations with Asean and other partners from trade and investment discussions toward specific projects.
Asean’s existing system provides a strong foundation for broader economic cooperation with external partners. Through Asean Dialogue Partnerships, the Philippines already engages closely with countries such as the United States, Japan, and South Korea, key partners that are also supporting the LEC.
The true legacy of our Asean chairship will be measured by what endures. The LEC can help turn this year of regional leadership into lasting economic strength and shared prosperity.
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Dindo Manhit is the founder and CEO of Stratbase Group.
