U.S. Embassy Warns of Road Closures, Security Restrictions and Flight Disruptions in Metro Manila for ASEAN Summit, November 16–18, 2026
Why It MattersCancelled and rescheduled airline flights plus restricted roads around NAIA and central Manila are likely to push business travel and charter planning to other days and routings during the summit window.
The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines has issued a security alert for U.S. citizens ahead of the ASEAN 49th Summit and related summits, which the Philippines hosts in Metro Manila on November 16–18, 2026. The Philippine government has declared those three days special non-working days in the National Capital Region, and heavy security, road closures and traffic disruption are expected across Metro Manila before and during the summit.
Partial road closures in Pasay around the PICC and the CCP Complex start October 24, with full closures from November 9 to November 20. Some bus lanes become restricted "ASEAN lanes" for official convoys. Fun runs, motorcades, processions and other outdoor gatherings near the summit venues are suspended from October 24 to November 20. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have cancelled or rescheduled many domestic and international flights to and from Manila from November 14 to 18. Some groups have announced protests during the summit.
The Embassy advises travelers to check flight status directly with their airline, allow extra time to reach NAIA and expect longer security screening, avoid the PICC/CCP area and Roxas Boulevard from November 9 to November 20, and plan for sudden road closures and convoy stops anywhere in Metro Manila. It warns that even peaceful gatherings can turn confrontational, and urges people to follow instructions from Philippine authorities, carry ID if living or working inside restricted zones, and monitor local media and advisories from the MMDA and local governments.
