Manila, Feb. 2 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. convened key government agencies to ensure the Philippines is fully prepared to host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit this year, Malacanang said Monday.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President met with Cabinet officials whose agencies play direct roles in ASEAN-related preparations, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum, among others.

"Pilipinas, ASEAN-ready na (The Philippines is now ASEAN-ready)!" Castro said in a Palace press brief...