Marcos: ASEAN to beef up intra-regional trade to bolster food security

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

STRENGTH IN UNITY. Southeast Asian leaders do the ASEAN handshake in their official family photo during the opening ceremony of the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings at the Mactan Expo Center in Cebu on Friday (May 8, 2026). The handshake is a traditional, symbolic gesture of unity and solidarity used at ASEAN summits, where leaders cross their arms to shake hands with their partners on both sides simultaneously. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Friday agreed to strengthen intra-ASEAN trade and reinforce regional food security mechanisms amid rising energy prices and disruptions in global shipping routes caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

At a press conference following the 48th ASEAN Summit, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said ASEAN leaders committed to keeping essential goods moving across the region and maintaining open and predictable markets.

“Leaders agreed to keep essential goods moving, maintain open and predictable markets, strengthen intra-ASEAN trade, and reinforce regional food security mechanisms,” Marcos said.

The President noted that higher fuel prices, shipping disruptions and increasing fertilizer costs are affecting families and economies across Southeast Asia.

To address these concerns, ASEAN leaders agreed to build more resilient supply chains, support agricultural micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and smallholder farmers, promote climate-smart agriculture, and strengthen ASEAN-led food reserve systems.

Marcos also highlighted the call for the swift ratification of the upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), which seeks to modernize regional trade rules and reduce non-tariff barriers.

According to Marcos, the upgraded agreement includes crisis provisions aimed at ensuring the uninterrupted flow of essential goods during emergencies.

The revised ATIGA, concluded in 2025, also incorporates measures addressing supply chain disruptions, digital trade and green economy initiatives as ASEAN seeks to strengthen its role in global production networks.

Food security has emerged as one of the Philippines’ top priorities during its ASEAN chairmanship this year alongside energy stability and the protection of ASEAN nationals abroad.