In light of current developments at the national level where alliances are either forged or broken as the election season is approaching, Gov. Gwen Garcia, in the presence of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., bannered Cebu’s unprecedented unity that has brought so many good things to the province.
“Too often we dream of unity, we speak of unity, and yet somehow we fail to achieve it; but not so in this beautiful, charming Island of Cebu,” Gov. Garcia said in her speech at the opening ceremony of the 36th Joint Meeting of the United Nations Tourism Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and the UN Tourism Commission for South Asia on June 28.
“There’s an extraordinary unity that has been the impetus for this Island Province to soar to great heights of progress and development,” she added.
President Marcos was the guest of honor of the opening ceremonies of the important joint commission meetings in Cebu that was made possible through the efforts of the Department of Tourism, led by Sec. Christina Garcia-Frasco.
Joining the president on the stage at the Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort were Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr., UNTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, and fifth district Congressman and Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ahong Chan, Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia, and Lone District of Lapu-Lapu Congresswoman Cindi Chan were also present at the occasion.
Governor Garcia underscored the unwavering unity among Cebu’s local government units and highlighted the exceptional collaboration among Cebu’s political leaders, setting the province apart as a beacon of solidarity in the country.
The Governor also reminisced about the historic 2022 elections, when Cebu’s dominant One Cebu Party which she chaired, threw its overwhelming support behind then presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos after Marcos’s call for unity resonated well with the party principle of a strong and united Cebu.
As a result, Cebu delivered for President Marcos 1.5 million votes — the biggest votes cast by any province for the president — with a lead margin of over 1 million votes against his closest rival.
Governor Gwen also reaffirmed her support for President Marcos’s administration as the country gears up for the midterm polls.
“The unity that we proved in that historic election of 2022 is now stronger than ever right here in this Island of Cebu. And as we did in 2022, Mr. President, we stand firmly behind you in full support for the man who called for unity,” she said.
The 36th CAP-CSA meeting brought together delegates from UN Tourism Member States, Affiliate Members, and various organizations to discuss the UN Tourism Program for 2024-2025 and address issues pertinent to the Asia-Pacific region. The event aims to promote sustainable gastronomy tourism while preserving local traditions and natural resources.
Aligning with the global push for sustainability, the forum will explore cost-effective and environmentally responsible strategies to maximize local sourcing, minimize food waste, combat climate change, and promote circularity in gastronomy tourism.
The meeting set the stage for engaging discussions and collaborative efforts to advance sustainable tourism and showcase the rich culinary heritage of the Asia-Pacific region. | Jude Torres