Barangays promise help for APEC success

CEBU, Philippines - Barangays in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu have committed to help make the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Conference meetings here successful.

Carmelino del Mar, Jr., vice president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Mandaue City, said at least 270 tanods will be deployed on August 6 to clean the streets in the APEC route.

Joel Garganera, vice president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Cebu City, said they are coordinating closely with the barangay tanods and police to ensure that cause-oriented groups will not sabotage the event.

“Although that is their constitutional right nga mag-rally ning mga cause-oriented groups, we just need to secure the APEC routes,” Garganera said.

Jose Dungog, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay-Lapulapu City, said they will do their best to ensure the success of APEC 2015.

Ethel Natera, Cebu provincial information officer, rallied for the community to help government make the event successful.

“We have to give our best and leave a good impression how great Cebu is. So that our guests, the 3,200 official delegates will keep coming back to Cebu and not just for leisure but also pouring investments for job generation,” Natera said in a press conference initiated by the Department of Interior and Local Government – 7.

DILG-7 director Rene Burdeos said APEC 2015 is an opportunity for Cebu to showcase its vibrant economy, as well as its best as a tourism destination.

Burdeos said APEC 2015 will also widen Cebu’s opportunity in attracting foreign investments and strengthen trade relations among the 21-member economies.

Last week, various agencies from private and public sectors expressed readiness for the senior ministers meetings, which will start on August 22.  (FREEMAN)