MANILA (Reuters): All preparatory meetings for Asean, including ministerial sessions, will now be held virtually to cut costs, the Philippines' executive secretary said on Friday.
A total of 650 preparatory meetings will be conducted online as the bloc scales down non-essential activities, the Philippine executive secretary Ralph Recto said in a statement.
"This is not the time for grand ceremonies," Recto said.
Marcos' top aide, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, separately added that all the bloc's preparatory meetings, including sessions of ministers, will now be held virtually to cut costs.
* Marcos said he has consulted with his counterparts in the regional bloc and reached a consensus to proceed as planned, saying "it is precisely now" for them to coordinate efforts.
* Recto said 650 preparatory meetings will be conducted online as the bloc scales down non-essential activities.
* Recto said: "This is not the time for grand ceremonies."
* Preparatory meetings include working groups, senior officials, and ministerial meetings.
* The Asean Leaders' 48th summit is scheduled on May 8 and 9, according to the latest notional calendar. -- Reuters
