Thumbs up for Cebu's ASEAN summit preparation: Good, good, good — Arroyo

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is impressed with the preparations of Cebu for the 12th ASEAN Summit, which is taking place here barely five months from now.

The president was in Cebu yesterday and visited the construction site of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), which is going to be the main venue of the summit.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, who also heads the national organizing committee of the ASEAN Summit, told reporters about the impressions of the president.

"Good, good, good", was reportedly Arroyo's comment on the construction of the P250 million structure that Garcia said is already 42.03 percent completed.

Archt. Manuel Guanzon, who did the design changes, was also present during the inspection.

"I'm convinced that Cebu can deliver...I am impressed with the decisiveness of the Governor and she is a good executive and she knows what she's doing," Romulo said.

"We can beat the schedule with the help of everybody," Guanzon told Arroyo.

Arroyo and members of the cabinet also applauded Garcia when she assured them that the structure would be completed in time for the summit. The executive meeting was held at the Malacañang sa Sugbu shortly after lunch yesterday afternoon.

The President is also reportedly impressed by presentation of the facilities once the structure is completed.

As of yesterday, 44 steel beam columns were already put up after only two days of work on this part of the construction. The remaining 142 more columns will be reportedly put up in the next 30 days.

Garcia told reporters yesterday that car manufacturer BMW has promised to lend at least 50 luxury cars for the heads of state to use during the summit.

Likewise, Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. of the Department of Budget and Management has also reportedly assured to release the budget for the widening of roads and beautification of the airports.

National Organizing Committee secretary-general Marciano Paynor said, road infrastructure projects must be done two months before the summit this December to avoid redundancy of costs.

"Kasi when they start the projects now, there is a tendency that during the summit itself, lubak-lubak na yong daan. So dapat mga one and a half month to two months before the summit na magstart," he said.

Paynor also gave a similar suggestion to Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano during their lunch as he also urged the mayor to tie-up with international convention event organizers to further boost the city's economic activity.

P/SSupt. Ronald Roderos, who is currently deputy regional director for administration, said that 200 police patrol cars will be shipped to Cebu from Manila for the ASEAN summit.

Aside from this, Roderos said that the police patrol cars will be placed at the Uniwide building located just a few meters from the CICC. This will serve as the motorpool.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Councilor Procopio Fernandez, chairman of the committee on police and public safety, said the city will soon get an additional 250 PNP personnel as part of augmentation force in preparation for the summit.

Fernandez, who also sits as vice-chairman of the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council, said that they have passed a resolution recommending a P1,000 allowance for each of the 250 policemen every month.

Fernandez is also encouraging the barangay captains to accommodate the policemen in their barangay halls during their stay in Cebu.

Last month, the Cebu City council approved the second supplemental budget amounting to P222.8 million. Part of which will be spent for preparations for the summit.

Mayor Tomas Osmena earlier said the city has on its shopping list 20 Toyota Innovas to be used as police patrol cars, 25 vans, two high-pressure washer trucks, two painter trucks, and ammunition worth P2 million.

Last March, Mandaue City and provincial governments signed a memorandum of agreement for the construction and management of the CICC. Under the agreement Cebu province will construct the building on the 38,136 square-meter-lot provided by the city.

The lot is valued at P457,632,000 while the building costs P250 million.

Both LGUs shall jointly manage the CICC. Work on the structure began in March 23 and completion date has been set for November 15.