Buoyed up by the country’s improving economy, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left this morning for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the four-day 11th summit meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which starts today.

In Malacaņang shortly before she left for Villamor Airbase, Pasay City for her flight to Kuala Lumpur, the President cited "four main reasons why the Philippines has a huge state in ASEAN." These are energy, counter-terrorism, maritime security, and the Brunei-Indonesia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, or BIMP-EAGA.

"The season has been good for the economy, which strengthens our voice in the region to call for decision and action on key issues on trade, investment, security and human development," she said.

The President and her party left for the Malaysia capital at 8:15 a.m. on board Philippine Airlines PR 001 after a simple departure ceremony at the 250^th Presidential Airlift Wing in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City.

The Chief Executive said she would pursue investments in energy infrastructures and broader collaboration among ASEAN members in new and renewable energy and alternative fuels "if we need to keep our economies humming, and our lights on, through the next three decades."

She said she will also push for joint efforts by ASEAN, the United States as well as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization composed of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to ensure and strengthen regional security in this part of the globe.

"Maritime security is also imperative to stop piracy and armed robbery, as well as arms smuggling and human trafficking along the vulnerable sea lanes of the region. Joint border patrols must be the norm across our common seas," the President said.

The regional grouping needs to "boldly step up the alleviation of poverty in the BIMP-EAGA sub-regions, reinvestments and tourism, making it the broader strategic arena for durable peace and development in Mindanao," she added.

The President said the "unity and solidarity of our people has been reinforced by our big win in the Southeast Asian Games and the medals we are reaping on economic stability. These give me the confidence to represent the Filipino as a strong player in ASEAN and in East Asia."

The ASEAN summit meeting ends on Dec. 14.

Among those who saw the President off at the Villamor Airbase were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Generoso Senga, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Arturo Lomibao, Philippine Army (PA) Commanding General Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Philippine Air Force (PAF) Commanding General Lt. Gen. Jose Reyes and Philippine Navy Flag-Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga.

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (via PLDT) -- Leaders of the East Asia Summit (EAS) are set to issue a declaration on the avian influenza (AI) pandemic sweeping some countries, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sonia Brady said today.

In a press conference at the Saloma Theater and Restaurant in Jalan Ampang here, Brady said the EAS member countries are set to declare AI as a problem of worldwide proportions.

"There will be an EAS declaration on avian flu because this is a problem that has an impact on all the EAS participating countries," Brady said.

EAS is composed of the ASEAN and its new members--Japan, Korea, China, New Zealand, India and Australia.

The declaration seeks to strengthen efforts to prevent the spread of the deadly virus and to come up with radical treatment methods to alleviate the pain and suffering of those afflicted with AI, commonly known as bird flu.

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (via PLDT) -- Cebu City is raring to host next year's Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, according to Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

The Philippines will host next year’s 12^th Summit in Cebu when it assumes the chairmanship of the ASEAN standing committee.

Garcia is a member of the official Philippine delegation led by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the 11th ASEAN Summit being held here from Dec. 11 to 14.

She said she was invited by the President to join the official delegation so that she could gather useful pointers on how to properly host an ASEAN Summit.

Garcia said she was impressed by Malaysia’s summit preparations as she expressed confidence that with the backing of the government, the public sector and the support of the Filipino people, Cebu’s hosting of next year’s ASEAN summit would be a success.

"I can assure you that Cebu will certainly roll out the red carpet and will do everything that has to be done in order to showcase our country," Garcia said upon arrival at the Mandarin Malaysia Hotel, where the President is billeted.

"This (summit) challenges us knowing fully well that holding this event in Cebu will not only showcase the province but also the entire country. Cebu and its leaders will be joining hands together with the private sector to come up with a Summit that the Philippines can be truly proud of," Garcia added.

She said plans are underway to build a "world class multi-events center" in Cebu where conventions and other events such as sports and cultural shows could be staged.

With an estimated cost of P250 million, funding for the proposed mega dome will be sourced from a "continuing appropriation" of the provincial government and assistance from the private sector.

Barring any hitches, the proposed structure will be constructed on a four-hectare property in Mandaue City.

Garcia added that if construction starts early as planned, the proposed structure should be completed in time for the opening of the 12th ASEAN Summit.

"The plans for this (project) began three years ago. The structural designs are complete. We just need to complete the electrical and plumbing plans," Garcia said.

She said that Cebu’s hosting of the 12th ASEAN Summit will be good for tourism and the economy not only of Cebu province but for the country as well.

"It will put Cebu again at the center of this region's attention, perhaps even the world. It will showcase the infrastructure, the investment opportunities in Cebu and the tourist destinations of the province. But more than that, we also want this attention to spread out to the other regions in the Visayas as well," Garcia said.

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