Arroyo due in Cebu today for five events at Imperial

CEBU, Philippines – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be in Cebu today for five hours to grace five different events at the Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort Hotel and Spa in Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City.

President Arroyo, together with Senators Richard Gordon and Miguel Zubiri, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, and Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, is expected to arrive at the Mactan Cebu International airport at 9:45 in the morning.

By 10:00 am, President Arroyo will have a one-on-one interview with popular broadcast journalist Pablito “Bobby” Nalzaro at the lower front lobby area of the said hotel.

By 11:00 am, President Arroyo will deliver a speech during the One Visayas Summit on Climate Change, wherein Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will give a brief welcome and overview of the said event.

There will also be a simultaneous signing with Arroyo and the 18 One Visayas Summit leaders wherein an enlarged replica of the Covenant printed on a tarpaulin shall be unveiled on stage for them to affix their signatures.

The One Visayas Summit on Climate Change is a two-day forum of local government executives (governors and mayors) leaders and members from the Regional Development Councils, the academe, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders from Regions VI, VII and VIII. It is aimed at increasing awareness on climate change and understanding its cause and effect.

Arroyo will also sign into law, Republic Act no. 9593 otherwise known as the National Tourism Policy Act of 2009. This will be witnessed by the authors and sponsors of the said law.

At 12:30 in the afternoon, Arroyo will induct the newly-elected board of trustees and officers for 2009-2010 of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

At 12:40 in the afternoon, the President will meet with members of the cabinet.

After the cabinet meeting at 2:30 p.m., Arroyo will have a private meeting.

She is expected to leave Cebu for Manila by 3:00 p.m.

The venue of these events is the newest addition to Cebu’s world-class resort hotels owned and developed by the Philippine BXT Corporation.

A simulation/dry-run for hotel operations started last May 10 and during Arroyo’s visit today. The hotel is set for its grand inauguration by the first week of July. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)