Hotels told: Don’t jack up rates

CEBU, Philippines - The Archdiocese of Cebu is appealing to hotel operators not to jack up their rates in time for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in January next year.

Monsignor Ruben Labajo, overall chairman of the IEC Accommodations Committee, said hotel operators should not treat IEC delegates similar to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation delegates who had wealthy sponsors.

It can be recalled that delegates from APEC member economies complained of “inflated or exorbitant” hotel room rates, some by as much as 120 percent from earlier published rates.

“We made an appeal to them nga ang delegates sa IEC dili isama sa APEC. Dapat maintained lang ang rates ug dili g’yud patas-an ang bayad,” Labajo said, adding that they likewise appeal for special rates for the delegates.

Labajo,   together  with  IEC  Secretary  General Bishop Dennis Villarojo, convened hotel operators in Cebu on October 7.

According to Labajo, hotel operators have assured that present pricing in hotel industry will not be affected. Hotels have also waived blocking off their rooms and schedules, Labajo added.

Villarojo, for his part, said they are constantly monitoring hotel rates. If there are complaints over high rates, they will call and meet the hotel management to re-appeal.

He said though that complaints will be checked and verified first before they will bring the concern to the hotel operators.

Moreover, Villarojo announced that a total of 8,077 delegates have already registered and 6,005 (representing 55 countries) of them paid for the registration. This is 53.85 percent of the 15,000 target delegates.

Labajo said most of the delegates opted for free accommodation, but only 2,000 will be accommodated for free by 1,000 “host” families, who pledged to house local and foreign delegates of IEC. Each family will host two delegates.

As of yesterday, Labajo said 1,200 have been given homestay accommodation. There are also condos available for free near the IEC Pavilion in Barangay Mabolo.

For affordable accommodations, there are dormitory and retreat houses available at P300 per day.

COUNTDOWN

Ninety-nine days to go before the commencement of the solemn international event on January 24-31, 2016.

The Archdiocese had a symbolic unveiling of digital clock and launching of the 100-day official countdown towards the IEC yesterday at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

PAVILION  AND  OTHER  VENUES

Rizal Camangayan Jr, Duros Construction manager, said the pavilion will be completed by the end of the month.

He said they are now just testing electrical powers and completing the drainage and the pavement.

Pavilion, which will cater the IEC delegates, has a total area of 25,754 square meters encompassing the secretariat office and a main plenary hall that can accommodate at least 12,000 seats.

The building has a lower ground jet fan ventilated parking area with 200 slots. It has 1,540 horsepower multi-split airconditioning system, more than 1,700 lighting fixtures, 27 closed-circuit television cameras, and 1,000 sprinkler heads, among others.

Father  Brian Brigoli, chairman of the committee on venues, added that they are expanding the San Pedro Templete to accommodate more people, aside from clearing and reinstalling its pavement. — Kristine B. Quintas/NSA (FREEMAN)