Support Philippine hosting of Miss Universe, government agencies told

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang has directed all government agencies to support the country’s hosting of the Miss Universe Pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Jan. 30.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea issued Memorandum Circular No. 13, which enjoins all departments, agencies, bureaus and offices of the government to support the hosting of the pageant in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The DOT may call on any government agency for assistance as the circumstances and exigencies may require.

“The pageant will bring international prestige, publicity, goodwill and economic benefit to the country and will be a great opportunity for the Philippines to show to the world the country’s natural attractions, modern infrastructure facilities and, above all, the warmth of the Filipino people,” Medialdea said in the circular.

In the memo dated Dec. 28, Medialdea also reminded all government agencies that they can help in the pageant without disruption of work and services in their respective offices.

“Except for such reasonable resources required in providing support for the hosting of the pageant, no public funds shall be expended for the hosting of the 2016 Miss Universe Pageant,” it read.

Traffic management, security

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it has started cooperating with the DOT, airport authorities and law enforcement agencies to ensure that holding the event would not inconvenience the riding public.

No road closures will be implemented in Metro Manila or any of the host provinces during the duration of the event.

“I’m confident that we will be able to carry out a smooth flow of traffic with the ingress and egress of the candidates, and especially with how the tourism department has scheduled their activities, it seems the event would not really disturb the flow of traffic,” DOTr assistant secretary for communication Cherie Mercado-Santos said.

Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Emmanuel Licup of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said there are, so far, no direct threats to holding the pageant in the Philippines.

Licup said the PNP has coordinated with other law enforcement agencies, both locally and internationally, to continuously monitor the peace and order situation.

During the pageant, the PNP will also provide full security to candidates, their delegations and the pageant organizers, from the convoy to the hotels and venues.

Site task groups were also created to oversee peace and order during ancillary events in the provinces.

“It will not be so tight that the public cannot anymore mingle with the candidates, but it will be strict that no untoward incident is going to happen to the candidates, their families and organizers,” Licup said.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government, meanwhile, said it would release a memorandum circular ordering the local government units involved to guarantee peace and order, smooth traffic and cleanliness in their areas during the candidates’ stay.

Schedule of activities

The Philippines will be hosting the Miss Universe Pageant for the third time. It previously hosted the pageant in 1974 and 1994.

The year 2017 is off to a great start as the 65th Miss Universe competition is set to start next week.

In a press conference in Makati City yesterday, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo announced that 97 candidates of the Miss Universe Pageant would start flying into the country next week.

“The bulk will arrive on the 12th and 13th,” she said.

The candidates’ schedule will start with a visit to the island of Boracay on Jan. 14, followed by a terno fashion show in Vigan City the next day.

A governor’s ball will be held in Manila on Jan. 16 before the candidates proceed to Cebu and Baguio on Jan. 17 and 18, respectively.

The ladies will be divided into two groups on Jan. 19. One group will be in Batangas, while the other group will participate in the Mindanao tapestry fashion show in Davao City.

On Jan. 20, Miss Universe’s official media partner Solar Entertainment Corp. will host a luncheon.

On Jan. 21, the candidates will participate in a Grand Fashion show, while reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach is set to lead a Food Festival on Jan. 22.

Jan. 23 is scheduled for the women empowerment movement, national gift auction and courtesy visit to Malacañang.

The last public event will be the national costume festival on Jan. 24 as the candidates will commence their rehearsals for the coronation night after that.

The grand coronation night will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on Jan. 30. All dignitaries are expected to be on the red carpet at 6 a.m., while the pageant live telecast will begin at 8 a.m.

The organizers have so far announced Steve Harvey as the main host, and Ashley Graham as the backstage host for the coronation night.