ILOILO CITY, Dec. 2 (PNA) — Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operation Office (PCOO) stressed that the country is ready for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 2015 and all government agencies are pursuing their assigned tasks.
“We have to show to the delegates that it’s More Fun in the Philippines,” the secretary said.
Coloma also stressed there is no turning back on the Philippine hosting of the APEC as this is a commitment of the Philippine government.
“President Benigno Aquino III opened on Monday, December 1 the APEC formal launching and kick-off in Manila while Albay will host the informal senior ministerial meeting on December 8-9, 2014, as indication of full speed ahead for the APEC,” Coloma disclosed while in this city on December 2.
The secretary keynoted the Climate Change Advocacy Summit here spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) attended by public information officers in Western Visayas.
Iloilo City is slated to host two APEC Ministerial Meetings in September and October 2015 on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and blue economy to be attended by more than 2,000 delegates.
Regarding the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) as event venue in this city, Coloma assured that Malacanang is addressing the issue and doing what is needed to overcome the challenges.
The country hosted the APEC in 1986 in Subic, Zambales and after 28 years, hosted again the meeting participated in by 21 countries in Asia and the Pacific rim.
For 2015, the theme is “Building Inclusive Growth, Building a Better World” to show off the Philippines and the Filipinos as the Philippine Development Plan is anchored on inclusive growth of the country, Coloma said.(PNA)