Protest greets APEC opening

CEBU, Philippines - The opening ceremonies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday were met with protest actions by some members of the militant transport groups.

At least 41 individuals converged in Barangay Mactan wielding flags and placards emblazoned with words “Junk APEC.”

Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office director, said the protesters were members of the Bayan-Central Visayas, Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide-Cebu (PISTON), and Nagkahiusang Kabos sa Lapu-Lapu or NAKALAP.

“I immediately went there and negotiated with them. They asked me if they can march going to the resort but I told them they cannot proceed to their activity because they have no permit,” Radoc said.

Radoc said the protesters peacefully ended their rally without insisting to go near the Shangri-la Resort and Spa where the transportation ministers from 21 APEC member economies are meeting.

The protesters were led by Jaime Paglinawan and Greg Perez.

 Perez said other countries should not be involved in the issue of transportation in the Philippines.

He cited an example of Metro Rail Transit in Manila where spare parts need to be acquired from other countries during maintenance work.

“It will take a long time for the workers to go back to their jobs. Kung dinhi gikuha ang mga parts sa atong modes of transportation, ang maintenance dinhi gibuhat, mas dali mahuman. Ang mga negosyante ana, mabulahan,” Perez said.

Transportation ministers from 21 member economies will start the discussion today on how to make transport system sustainable.

Assistant secretary Sherielysse Reyes-Bonifacio of the Department of Transportation and Communications said the there would be three general topics in today’s ministerial meeting. These are inclusive mobility, developing sustainable transport systems, and encouraging innovations in transport systems.

She said there are different speakers who would share ideas on corresponding topics. As to the developing sustainable transport systems, there are three sub-topics to be discussed such as enhancing transportation safety and security, investing in resilient infrastructure, and promoting green technology in transport system.

Today’s forum is dubbed as “Driving Economic Growth through Inclusive Mobility and Sustainable Transport System.”

One of the frameworks that the Philippines would be sponsoring, Bonifacio said, is the inclusive mobility network. However, she said the Philippines is most likely a benefactor of the meeting rather than a contributor.

“We will be mostly a benefactor, considering that our transport system is not yet inclusive in the sense that it caters to persons with disabilities, but we are trying hard to make it inclusive. I think we will be benefiting more from this initiative,” Bonifacio said.

This is already the second round of APEC meetings in Cebu. The first round of meetings were held late August until early September. — Jean Marvette A. Demecillo, Christell Fatima M. Tudtud, and Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/FPL