By Johnny C. Nunez
LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 16 (PNA) — Albay is now in top shape for the Informal Senior Officials Meeting (ISOM) of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) set December 8-9 this year in this leading tourist province.
The ISOM constitutes the opening salvo of the series of ministerial and technical meeting of officials from 21 APEC member countries leading to the APEC Leaders Summit in November 2015. The Albay ISOM is one of the largest events of the summit and shall set the tone for the entire 2015 Summit.
The Philippines is host of the 2015 APEC Summit and its series of preparatory meetings scheduled in selected sites in the country. The two-day December meetings here will be led by 21 economic ministers with over 500 officials, journalists and observers in attendance, putting Albay in the international limelight. Most of the guests are set to arrive by the latter part of his month.
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said with the series of simulation exercises, and final simulations in all aspect of the hosting, the province is now ready to receive the guest and raise the curtains for the 2015 APEC Summit.
This month alone, Albay conducted three major rehearsals and many coordination conferences for its role as local government unit host, aside from rehearsals conducted by other government agencies and schools which are actively cooperating collectively in the venture, Salceda said.
Albay was chosen for its “vitality and dynamism in development despite Pacific risks.” The province is a United Nations Global Model for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation. It is also the country’s fastest growing tourist destination in 2013 with a 66% growth, based on records of the Department of Tourism, which has a major role in the APEC summit hosting.
The local rehearsals and meetings were overseen by APEC 2015 National Coordinating Committee (NOC) Director General Marciano A. Paynor, under the Office of the President, and Department of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director General Ma. Angelina M. Santa Catalina.
Salceda said the preparations and rehearsals for the summit go back many months earlier since Albay was listed among the few chosen places to host the series of high-level conferences. As early as July, this year, the 2015 APEC NOC commended Albay for its excellent preparations, rating the province as the most prepared venue in the Philippine hosting.
The recent rehearsals were conducted among liaison officers, ushers and usherettes, help desk assistants, and CHEP members Regional Offices’ Representatives. Also held from November 18 to 21 were coordination meetings, on-site briefings, simulation proper and embassy briefings. (PNA)