APEC delegates touring Cebu’s heritage spots

CEBU, Philippines - The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation delegates will have a three-hour technical visit to Cebu’s “heritage and new horizons” today.

The delegates will be visiting the Magellan’s Cross, the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Fort San Pedro, the Pari-an District, the Yap-San Diego Ancestral House, Colon Street, the Fuente Osmeña Circle, the SM Seaside square at the South Road Properties, the San Pedro Calungsod Shrine at SRP and the Liberty Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City, among others.

The tour will start at 8:30 a.m. With this, the Cebu City Transportation Office will deploy at least 30 traffic enforcers for the swift and unhampered tour of the delegates.

CCTO Executive Director Rey Gealon said they will field motorized CCTO personnel who will join the convoy for real time updates to their communication base so that routes will be free from obstructions.

“The rest (of the traffic personnel) will vigilantly man the intersections for better traffic flow. CCTO is prepared for this considering our extensive exposure during last month’s APEC meetings. Our personnel have also been trained for any eventuality and can respond appropriately,” he said.

Gealon said the visits will not affect the traffic flow since the delegates will not stay long in an area.

The Department of Tourism’s concept of the tour is that it will feature Cebu’s glorious past from heritage sites and cultural performances, among others.

At the Magellan’s Cross, delegates will be welcomed with the re-enactment of the planting of the cross and the baptism of Queen Juana. Delegates will also experience riding a kalesa from the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño to Fort San Pedro.

At the Pari-an District, guests will be welcomed with a traditional lion dance symbolizing the history of the area. There will also be a reenactment of the Battle of Mactan through a dance drama in Lapu-Lapu City. — (FREEMAN)