ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION MEETS IN BACOLOD

It's a sunny day in Bacolod City, as bright as the prospects for investments and a better economy. We welcome the delegates and the organizing committee who has worked hard for the 2015 APEC meetings all over the country and for coming to Bacolod City  and the Province of Negros Occidental. We would also like to welcome back to Bacolod - His Excellency Benigno Aquino III.

The week has been a busy one for the city, we have conferences happening in various hotels and the SMX, our restaurants are filled up, there is a noticeable increase in police visibility anywhere you go, a canopy is installed, our men in uniform have been provided brochures and flyers to act as information officers as well.

 Many of us have been thinking why this conference is so important for the Philippines. In a series of meetings with the National Organizing Council, with no less than Deputy Director General for Conference  Management Services Ma. Angelina M. Sta. Catalina doing the rounds, we had the chance to attend the orientation with the local organizing group. The main goal for the APEC is INCLUSIVE GROWTH which will lead to economic growth with equal opportunities, the objective of our hosting is for Food Security, Blue Economy, Employment Generation and Stability plus Sustainability and Resilience, which will undergo processes on acceleration of regional economic integration, improving the regulatory environment, expand connectivity, strengthen ECOTECH and human capacity development and mainstreaming SMMEs and many more. President Aquino in his statement said that “We know that sustained inclusive growth that benefits the investors and the public alike can only be achieved through longevity-the longevity of reform and the good governance that has built trust, confidence and optimism in the Philippines.” There are 21 member economies of the APEC  and it is our commitment to APEC as member economy to host, raising the country its international stature , recognizing the Philippines as a vibrant, dynamic and innovative economy with increase of investments.

First event was the Welcome Dinner at the Peoples House (also known as the New Government Center), invitation cards were provided to all delegates and local businessmen and the working committees. Security was all over the NGC, the grounds were clean, usherettes wore Filipiniana gowns headed by Reception Committee head Councilor Sonya Verdeflor. tables were arranged fronting the stage and around the lagoon, delegates and guests were free seated, each councilor were assigned on separate tables to entertain guests.  Mayors Oti Montelibano and Eric Saratan also came with Mrs. Marissa Montelibano and Mrs. Shiela Yap- Saratan, Dr. Marilyn Maranon also came with the Provincial Government team with PPDO Marlin Sanogal, Eric Loretizo and Anna Marie Lucasan.

Business Sector attended the occasion  with Alfredo Barcelona, Leonito Lopue, Jose Montalbo , National Government Agency heads also came.  It was a night of exchanging pleasantries with various stakeholders in tourism and commerce, DOT Regional Director Helen Catalbas also came with her staff together with Jenny Factora of the DOT National office, all given the task to work on as members of  the coordinating committee for Information Desk and Tours working hand in hand with our local  DOT Accredited Tour Guides and Tour Operators.  The visitors were welcomed with drum beat by the Perkusyonista Negrense and a rendition of the ‘Dandansoy’ by Coro Bacoleno. The USLS Vivace Strings entertained delegates and guests with  a Classical and  Local String Quartet Medley, Artians performed a Neo-Ethnic Dance, the La Salle Chorale performed with grace singing ‘Kruhay’, a traditional, rural and contemporary  dance performance was well applauded with the USLS Jean Baptiste Dance Company, Murcia Dance Ensemble and the Hugyaw Kansilay dance Troupe with the VMA Performing Arts. Finale was the Masskara dance by the Brgy. Granada performers and the Choose Philippines performance .

It was a simple yet elegant hosting, with great food, wonderful show of talents and very precise, an event which started and ended just on time. The efforts of Rhoderick Samonte and his team was well appreciated by the people who were there.

Today, delegates will go on a technical tour visiting nearby places as we introduce the Sugar Story, there are paid tours as well that will take them to heritage sites and museums, sugar mills and farms. We have so many attarcations, destinations and tours to offer…as they say ‘so many tours, so little time’, giving them a reason to come back and experience Negrense hospitality .

The success of the APEC Hosting is a work in progress with the cooperation of all sectors in the City and Negros Occidental, this is the reason why we open our doors to the international MICE Market.