A media hub designed to serve hundreds of journalists will officially open on May 5, 2026, as the Philippines prepares to host the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings.
The International Media Center (IMC) will be set up at the Mactan World Museum in Lapu-Lapu City and will serve as the central facility for accredited local and international media covering the high-level gatherings.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expected to join leaders of ASEAN member states—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam—during the Summit Proper on May 8, 2026.
Organizers said the IMC is designed to function as the main operational base for media, providing workspaces, technical support, and access to official coverage of summit events.
Facilities include dedicated media working areas, lounges, high-speed internet connectivity, a main briefing hall for official announcements, and a secondary briefing room for smaller engagements with delegations.
Broadcast infrastructure will be housed within an International Broadcast Center (IBC), which will include broadcast booths, stand-up positions, a master control system, and feed distribution services to support live reporting.
The center will also host a video and photo distribution desk for official summit materials, along with real-time monitoring stations for live feeds of proceedings.
Support services such as a medical clinic, prayer rooms, dining facilities, technical help desks, and designated parking areas will also be available for accredited media personnel.
The government said the opening of the IMC reflects the country’s readiness to host the regional summit and its commitment to ensuring smooth media operations throughout the event.
A press briefing during the opening program will be led by Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez and ASEAN National Organizing Council Director-General Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega.
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cynthia Chan are expected to deliver welcome remarks during the ceremony.
Organizers estimate that around 800 to 1,000 local and foreign journalists will be accredited to cover the summit and related meetings.
Comments