Gullas: Cebu ready to host 30th ASEAN summit in 2017

CEBU, Philippines – Should organizers prefer to hold the meeting outside Manila, a Cebu congressman expressed optimism that the province is primed to host the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in 2017.

Cebu first district Representative Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. expressed hope that Cebu will get the chance to host one of the two meetings if the Philippines will be hosting two ASEAN summits back-to-back in 2017.

 This after Department of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima announced during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Finance Ministers’ Meeting that the Philippines will be hosting the ASEAN Summit in 2017. However, he did not divulge further details.

Gullas said Cebu is always prepared to host high-level international gatherings, citing more-than-enough convention facilities for the meetings and several hotel accommodations for delegates. Cebu hosted the three APEC meetings attended by 21 economies last month.

“Manila and Cebu are the only two places in the country that managed to host an ASEAN summit in the past,” he said.

 The country hosted the 3rd ASEAN summit in Manila in 1987 and the 12th ASEAN summit in Cebu in 2007.

 Gullas also said the international gateway of Cebu is also being upgraded with the construction of a new terminal for the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).  The airport’s old terminal, which is currently being renovated, shall accommodate only domestic flights by 2018.

 MCIA, which was turned over to GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) in November last year, was voted as the 18th best airport in Asia in the 2015 Airport Survey by website www.sleepinginairports.net (The Guide to Sleeping in Airports) last week.

 Myanmar hosted the 24th and 25th ASEAN summits last year. Malaysia is hosting the 26th and 27th summits this year while Laos will host the 28th and 29th summits next year. —/FPL  (FREEMAN)