Group to push for Cebu bid to host Leaders’ meet

TOURISM stakeholders in Cebu are working together to boost Cebu’s chances of winning the bid to host the Apec Leader’s Summit in 2015.

Tourism Regional Director Rowena Montecillo partnered with the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board  (MCDCB) after Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. called on the stakeholders in a Cebu City forum last week to bid for the Leaders’ Summit, a major event of the Apec Summit.

Jimenez said Cebu, Iloilo and Davao were among the places being considered as possible hosts for the meet.

Montecillo said yesterday she met with MCDCB board representatives last Monday to start preparing documents and presentations  “to  convince the National Organizing Committee headed by Bill Luz that Cebu is the best place to hold the event.”

The MCDCB, headed by the governor and Roberto Aboitiz as co-chairmen, is made up of key stakeholders in the private and public sector including leaders of 13 local government units in Metro Cebu.

Jimenez said the Apec summit would need more than one place to host a series of meetings of foreign ministers.

“The Leaders’ Summit will be the biggest which the President (Benigno Aquino III) wants to be bidded out so that stakeholders will really participate because they have the interest to host it,” said Jimenez.

The Apec Summit would run for about seven days and cap off  with the Leaders’ Summit, a good platform to show  tourism and business opportunities.

“We expect to have a final decision soon, before June this year so that we can start preparing. We want this to be private sector led with us in government giving our support,” said Jimenez./Reporter Aileen Garcia-Yap