10 member economies confirm attendance at Manila APEC summit

MANILA, Philippines - Ten member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation have officially confirmed their attendance at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Manila next month.

Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr., APEC 2015 National Organizing Council director general, said yesterday there was no indication that Chinese President Xi Jinping would not attend the event.

The Philippines will host the AELM from Nov. 18 to 19. 

“At this point, there’s no indication of anyone not attending the APEC meetings. We have 10 official confirmation and the other heads of states are coming,” Paynor said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay at the Luneta Hotel.

“We were assured that Canada and Australia are coming,” he said.

Asked about the Chinese leader’s participation in the APEC summit, Paynor said, “China has not officially confirmed, but there is no indication they will not come.”

Paynor said advance security teams from member economies have arrived in the country to oversee the inspection of various venues for the event.

The United States and Russia have confirmed attendance at the APEC summit.

From 44 APEC meetings under the Philippine chairmanship, nine more meetings will be held in the country starting Nov. 4. A dialogue will be held between the alliance, composed of four Latin American countries, and APEC.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos will participate in the APEC meetings.

Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, who is in charge of the joint APEC security forces, appealed for public understanding for inconvenience due to the APEC summit.

“We will have closure of routes within Metro Manila. We are requesting cooperation and understanding from the motorists and the riding public. We are given the chance to host once in 20 years,” Gaerlan said.  

To minimize inconvenience to the public, Malacañang has declared Nov. 17 to 20 as special non-working days.

Flights affected

At least 1,800 domestic and international flights will be affected by the closure of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) runway closure as part of preparations for the arrival and departure of APEC leaders in Manila, including US President Barack Obama, for the summit.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has advised overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning to the country for the Christmas holidays to take the Clark International Airport as entry point.

Recruitment leaders said OFWs and other travelers should schedule their trips after or ahead of the APEC summit to avoid delay or cancellation of flights.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has issued an advisory directing OFWs to avoid the dates of the APEC meeting if they are planning to come home for a vacation.

Middle Eastern airlines and other budget airlines fly to Clark from Hong Kong, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Riyadh or Qatar.

Cebu Pacific has cancelled hundreds of domestic and regional flights at the NAIA during the APEC summit.

NAIA terminals will be used exclusively for the heads of state attending the APEC meeting.

MIAA officials said increased commercial flight disruptions were expected during the APEC summit because runways would be periodically closed due to the arrival and departure of heads of state.– With Rudy Santos, Mayen Jaymalin