Cebu City prepares for APEC summit: Illegal structures removed

CEBU, Philippines - With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Cebu fast approaching, the Cebu City Government started implementing its plans in line for the big event.

Yesterday, some of the city's sidewalks have been cleared off illegal structures. This was a directive of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to City Administrator and Garbo Asenso Sumbanan Alyansa (GASA) head Dr. Lucelle Mercado.

"I want all sidewalks without vendors," Rama said.

However, he clarified that they will not totally take out sidewalk stalls in the whole downtown area and small entrepreneurs are allowed to sell their goods in the streets of Colon, Magallanes, and some other streets of the city.

Rama added that they are looking into clearing off Plaridel St. as it is reportedly one of the most congested streets in downtown area due to numerous sidewalk vendors.

"Ako gyud nang gitan-aw nga hawan ug maagihan ug mga sakyanan," he shared, adding that it is also necessary to consult stakeholders in the said vicinities.

Further, Rama expressed his optimism of the success of the upcoming APEC summit in Cebu.

"We did it well with the ASEAN summit, how much more now that there is synergy between the Local Government Units (LGUs)," he stressed.

Last Wednesday, APEC officials had an ocular visit of the possible venues for its six meetings next year.

APEC's Deputy Director General for conference services, Ambassador Ma. Angelina Sta. Catalina, said they already visited possible sites for the series of meeting, such as hotels in the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Cebu and will also be visiting sites in Davao, Ilo-ilo and Bacolod.

One venue being considered in Cebu is Shangri-la Mactan Island Resort and Spa which was one of the venues of the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit in 2007.

However, Catalina said the final decision will be coming from the National Organizing Council of APEC.— ATO (FREEMAN)