No Rallies, No Street Vendors: How the Gov't Is Preparing for the ASEAN Summit

(SPOT.ph) The Philippines is gearing up to host the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit from November 15 to 17, 2026, and the government has a request for those planning to stage protests: Could they wait until the country's foreign visitors have left?

That's just one of the changes being made ahead of the summit. With leaders and delegates from ASEAN's 11 member states, along with representatives from partner countries, expected to attend the regional gathering, government agencies are working hard to clear roads, manage traffic, and make Metro Manila more presentable for the occasion.

Here are some of the preparations underway ahead of the ASEAN Summit, along with a few requests for the public.

With US President Donald Trump expected to attend the summit, several activist groups are already planning demonstrations to protest his visit and raise concerns over issues including the US-led Pax Silica initiative. Some groups have already taken to the streets, while others are preparing to stage protests during the summit itself.

The government, however, would prefer that protesters wait until the international summit is over.

During a security briefing on November 9, retired Major General Potenciano Camba, the deputy director general for operations of the ASEAN National Organizing Council, urged groups planning demonstrations to postpone them until after the Philippines’ hosting duties.

According to ABS-CBN News, Camba acknowledged the importance of listening to protesters and recognized their right to peaceful assembly. He also assured the public that the Philippine National Police (PNP) was prepared to manage demonstrations. Still, he hoped organizers would consider waiting until the foreign delegates had left, framing it as a matter of courtesy to the country's visitors.

“Pero mas maganda, sana sa ating mga kababayan kung gawin na lang natin yung protesta natin pagkatapos ng hosting natin kasi parang pangit naman na may bisita ka, dito ka [magpo-protesta] ‘di ba?” Camba explained to state-run PTV. “Sana maintindihan ng ating mga kababayan na tayo ay may bisita. Parang sa household level kung may bisita ka, maghanda ka, respetuhin mo 'yung bisita mo, ‘di ba?”

Not all groups are inclined to accept that suggestion, though. For instance, transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) has already announced a transport strike on November 16.

National and local government agencies want to make sure that Metro Manila looks more presentable for visiting dignitaries.

In Pasay City, workers have been cleaning and repainting prominent landmarks within the CCP Complex, including the historic Manila Film Center. Barriers along J.W. Diokno Boulevard near the PICC and CCP Complex have also been covered with tarpaulins depicting artworks by Filipino National Artists.

Meanwhile, the city’s Team Barangay Road Clearing Operations (BARCO) led a clearing operation along the Parañaque-EDSA boundary in Baclaran. The multi-agency effort involved towing illegally parked vehicles and e-trikes, rescuing stray animals for adoption, and power-washing streets in Barangay 76.

The Parañaque City Government also issued a temporary ban on street vendors in parts of Baclaran until November 20.

However, the clearing operations have also raised concerns over the displacement of street vendors and unhoused people in the area. In a statement, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro defended the efforts, saying they were part of security preparations for the nearly 20 heads of state and foreign delegates expected at the 49th ASEAN Summit.

“Malaking bagay po na maipakita natin na tayo ay isang bansa na makapagbibigay ng sapat na seguridad sa mga liderato na pupunta sa ating bansa,” she said during the press briefing.

Officials are also working to keep roads around key venues clear and traffic moving. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that some roads surrounding the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex will be closed from November 15 to 18.

The streets marked for full closures include:

• Atang Dela Rama Street

• Vicente Sotto Street

• Pedro Bukaneg Street

• Magdalena Jalandoni Street

Motorists using major roads such as EDSA, Roxas Boulevard, Diokno Boulevard, and Macapagal Boulevard should also expect temporary stop-and-go traffic schemes as delegate convoys pass through. In this approach, traffic enforcers will briefly halt vehicles to allow the convoys to pass, then resume the flow of traffic once they’ve cleared the area.