Cebu officials on Wednesday declared the province’s hosting of the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit a success, citing zero major security incidents, strong coordination among agencies, and growing opportunities for future international events.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro thanked government agencies, local officials, volunteers, and residents who helped facilitate the regional gathering held last week in Mactan, Cebu.
“I would like to thank everyone who helped make the ASEAN Summit in Cebu a success,” Baricuatro said during a post-summit press briefing on Wednesday, May 13.
The governor said the successful hosting demonstrated Cebu’s capability to handle large-scale international events and could further strengthen the province’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.
She said Cebu has already started attracting more events following the summit, including conventions involving national government agencies.
Baricuatro, who chaired the Provincial Organizing Committee for the summit, was joined during the briefing by Gelena Asis-Dimpas and Garry Lao.
Meanwhile, Police Colonel Kim Molitas, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) during the summit, reported that authorities recorded zero major incidents throughout the two-day event.
Molitas said around 8,000 police officers and uniformed personnel were deployed to secure delegates and maintain peace and order, with Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. personally supervising operations.
“We are very happy to inform the public that we have recorded zero major incident during the ASEAN Summit,” Molitas said.
Baricuatro also described the summit as a benchmark for future international events in Cebu, emphasizing the coordination among the provincial government, local government units, and national agencies.
When asked to compare this year’s hosting with Cebu’s previous ASEAN Summit in 2007, the governor said the current leadership and approach resulted in a different outcome.
Cebu last hosted the ASEAN Summit during the 12th ASEAN Summit in 2007 at the Cebu International Convention Center, which later became controversial due to corruption allegations tied to infrastructure and procurement projects.
This year’s summit concluded without similar controversies.
“Lahi karon ug kaniadto. Kay ato gayod napakita that recognition belongs to the people behind the scenes. Everyone helped to ensure that the summit was represented with grace, readiness, and warmth,” Lao said.
Officials said Cebu’s performance during the summit could boost confidence among organizers of international conferences and large-scale gatherings, further strengthening the province’s reputation as a major tourism and MICE destination. (LLP)
Photo courtesy of Cebu Province
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