Villages ‘crucial’ in APEC hosting

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Interior and Local Government-7 is banking on the participation of barangays in ensuring Cebu’s successful hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ministerial meetings.

In a briefing with the barangay leaders in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday, DILG-7 assistant director Elias Fernandez Jr. said barangay watchmen or tanods can be tapped to augment the security done by the police.

"Kung naa’y foreign delegates or ilahang family member nga ganahan mosuroy sa gawas or maglakaw-lakaw, naa’y coordination system between the local police and the barangay tanods," Fernandez said.

(If foreign delegates or their relatives wished to visit tourist attractions, there will be a coordination system between the local police and the barangay tanods.)

Fernandez added that foreign delegates will be monitored to ensure their safety and to prevent any untoward incidents.

"If they will be victimized, it would be a big embarrassment not only to the province and the city but also the whole nation," he explained.

In response, Maribago Barangay Captain Joseph Pangatungan said they are reinforcing security in their barangay with the help of local security personnel. This as Maribago is one of the areas in Lapu-Lapu City with high concentration of tourists.

"Amo nang gi-reinforce ang security dinha sa corner sa Maribago, sa may J-Park kay kadaghanan didto kay mga turista. Ako sad sila giingnan kung unsa ka-importante ang APEC para sa atong ekonomiya," Pangatungan said.

(We have reinforced security at a corner near J-Park since most of the visitors would usually go there. We also told security personnel and residents of the importance of APEC to the local economy.)

Pangatungan added that he already met with the market vendors last Wednesday to project a friendly disposition during the summit. He said he has also informed the barangay tanods last Sunday about Lapu-Lapu City’s hosting.

Meanwhile, aside from discussing security measures at the grassroots level, Fernandez also briefed the barangay captains on community relations, as well as on helping what locals could do to help ease traffic in areas where meetings are being held.

Security plans for possible protests to be staged by groups during the meetings were also part of contingency planning, he added.

Lapu-Lapu City is the last to be given APEC briefings by DILG officials after they conducted the same orientation in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue.

The series of APEC ministerial meetings to be hosted by Cebu will start on August 22 through October.

Around 3,200 delegates from 21 APEC member-economies are expected to come to Cebu for the meetings.

Delegates will be housed in Radisson Blu Hotel, Marco Polo Plaza, Waterfront Hotel and Marriot Hotel in Cebu City, and Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City. (FREEMAN)