Cebu execs aim for share of Apec visitors

The Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB) is optimistic of getting a share of the delegates of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in 2015.

Gordon Alan Joseph, MCDCB board member and committee chairman, said yesterday that they see a “bright light” in the possibility of Cebu hosting the Leaders’ Summit, which is a major event of the Apec Summit set to start on December 2014 and end by November 2015.

“We were the last group to make the presentation to the APEC committee in Makati yesterday (Tuesday) and they (committee members) told us our (presentation) was the most interesting and fun. They were very impressed and we are very optimistic,” said Joseph, who led the MCDCB group making the Cebu pitch for the hosting of the Leaders’ summit.

The APEC Summit includes a total of 13 meetings and conventions that will involve a gathering of at least 1,500 to 4,000 delegates from all over the region.

impact

Joseph said hosting the summit here would have a large impact on Cebu’s tourism.

“The events are going to happen from December 2014 to November 2015. We are confident that Cebu is a strong candidate because we have the right facilities like hotel rooms to accommodate that huge crowd aside from Manila,” he said.

The committee headed by Guillermo Luz of the National Competitiveness Council told them that they would be giving their feedback by June 7, said Joseph.

team

“They’re going to send a team to validate what we have presented. And I should say that we presented Cebu as it is. We did not paint a rosy picture,” he said.

Within 10 days, a team from Makati will be coming to Cebu and visit the facilities that the MCDCB team has included in their presentation including convention facilities like the Cebu International Convention Center that is due for renovation anytime this year.

“The CICC is set to be renovated. DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) has set a budget of P6.5 million for that which should start within the year,” Joseph said.

Acting Cebu Gov. Agnes Magpale said the Capitol is ready if the summit pushes through.

She said the CICC could be upgraded through repairs.

meet

Joseph said the MCDCB would meet with all stakeholders to discuss the preparations of the event. These include local government units, accommodations sector, restaurants, Philippine National Police, and utilities.

Other areas making the pitch to hold the Apec Summit meetings are Iloilo, Davao, Clark, Legaspi, and Manila./Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos