Power outage to hit Maria Luisa today

A portion of Maria Luisa Estate Park will experience power interruptions today, Friday, due to the scheduled upgrading and maintenance activity of the Visayan Electric Company.

The interruption will occur starting 8 a.m. and will last at 11 a.m. to facilitate the replacement of rotten poles in the area.

Portions that would be affected are located in Busay, specifically a portion of Highland Park and Paseo Jhon-Jhon and portion of Lower Busay, particularly in sitio Maaslom.

VECO apologized for the interruption, saying it is needed to improve their facilities in the area. Its crew promised to do their best to shorten the time of scheduled interruption and restore the electricity supply to normal soonest time possible.

Garcia foresees Mandaue as Asia's convention city

Governor Gwen Garcia last night expressed confidence that Mandaue City has repositioned itself as "the emerging convention city in Asia", as she lauded the dynamic political leadership of Mayor Thadeo Ouano.

Speaking during last night's launching of the international media center of the Cebu International Convention Center, Garcia said that with the taking off of the 12th Asean Summit next week, Mandaue City is ready for the world as Asia's convention city.

"I am confident of the capacity of Mandaue and the Mandauehanons to reposition this dynamic city as the emerging Convention City in Asia," Garcia spoke to local, national, and foreign journalists who attended the event.

Garcia said Mandaue is a strategically located city, which are just minutes away from world-class resorts, shopping centers, metropolitan destinations, and international airport.

Ouano, for his part, said that the CICC serves as a historical landmark, or a monument that recognizes Mandaue's involvement in the international stage.

As one of the summit venues, the city continues to play an important role in international relations, and to become a core of development and the growth engine of Cebu province, he said.

"My city's management team, together with world-renowned urban planner Palafox and Associates, has formulated a strategy to position the city as a preferred destination for international expositions and conventions," said the mayor.

Ouano added, "We welcome you all and we will be glad to be your host when you come for your future conventions and expositions. But, I have a little request, please help me spread the word that Mandaue City is ready for the world."

Mandaue City is presently described as the furniture capital of the country, accounting for 70 percent of the country's total furniture exports.

It has been the location of export-oriented business establishments involved in the manufacture of fashion accessories, beverage, processed foods, and carageenan.

Palafox and Associates had envisioned a development framework for Mandaue City where a new central business district will be built to promote tourism, information technology, and trade. -Michelle L. Palaubsanon/RAE