𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝟒𝟖𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒’ 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓; 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝟑,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒
Cebu Province is gearing up to host one of the country’s most significant diplomatic gatherings this year as it prepares to welcome the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for a summit in May.
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro met with Tourism Assistant Secretary Maria Angela Javier of the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit – National Organizing Committee at the Capitol on March 4 for a strategic coordination meeting on ongoing preparations.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the tri-cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, as well as regional and provincial directors of various national line agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Tourism, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of National Defense, Philippines Coast Guard, and Office of Civil Defense, among others.
Asec. Javier said the Leaders’ Summit and related meetings will be held in Cebu from May 5 to 9, gathering over 3,000 participants from 11 ASEAN member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
She said the international guests will include more than a thousand official delegates from member states, another thousand attendees, and over a thousand international media representatives.
With President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expected to meet with leaders of member states during the summit, preparations are prioritizing the safety and security of all participants.
The Police Regional Office 7 has recommended a moratorium on the issuance of running event permits during the summit dates, as well as the implementation of asynchronous classes to help decongest major roads.
Governor Baricuatro expressed confidence in Cebu’s capability to host a safe and successful summit, citing the province’s recent hosting of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Meetings in January as a “dry run” for the larger event.
“We are looking forward to hosting the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit,” Gov. Baricuatro said, adding that the Capitol is extending all the support expected of it, as the summit is seen to have a significant positive impact on the economy, tourism, and investment promotion.
Cebu has also been selected as the venue for various ministerial- and senior officials-level meetings to be spearheaded by national government agencies.
“Cebu is very popular with the agencies of the government. Everyone wants to hold their meetings in Cebu,” said Asec. Javier.
Other high-level meetings scheduled in Cebu include:
• ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) in July;
• ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Joint Committee Meetings in July;
• ASEAN Treasury Forum in July;
• ASEAN Coordinating Task Force on Blue Economy and related meetings in August;
• ASEAN Transportation Ministers’ Meeting in November;
• 16th Session of the ASEAN Community Statistical System in November;
• ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) Implementing Committee and related meetings in November.
Among the matters discussed during the coordination meeting were traffic management plans, site enhancements, and other inter-agency coordination initiatives to ensure the smooth and secure staging of the summit. |𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑨𝑹𝑱
Check this also: Minglanilla Unveils New Public Plaza as Gov. Pamela Baricuatro Pledges Continued Support
