Pam on ASEAN Summit hosting: ‘So far, so good’

Local

CEBU has so far passed its initial test as host of the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro has cited orderly traffic conditions, public cooperation, and the province’s hospitality efforts as key indicators of a smooth opening for the high-level regional gathering.

“So far, so good. The roads are quiet,” Baricuatro said on Wednesday, May 7, when asked to assess the ongoing summit operations.

The governor thanked Cebuanos for cooperating with traffic advisories and security measures imposed for the summit, which has brought thousands of delegates, dignitaries, and support personnel to Cebu this week.

“Our fellow Cebuanos listened to us. Our roads are clean now and there is no traffic. Thank you very much to everyone who followed our call,” she said..

Baricuatro emphasized that beyond hosting the summit itself, Cebu’s larger goal is to leave a strong impression on foreign delegates that could translate into future tourism and investment opportunities.

“Of course, it’s about trade and tourism,” she said. “It’s not enough that ASEAN is here. What’s important is that they come back.”

The governor said Cebu aims to encourage delegates and foreign officials to return not only as tourists but also as potential investors.

“We want them to come back and invest here in Cebu,” she added.

Despite heightened security measures and traffic rerouting in parts of Metro Cebu, Baricuatro said the impact on most areas in the province has remained manageable because summit activities are largely concentrated within specific zones.

She noted that Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Cordova town remained generally unaffected except for traffic management adjustments tied to the movement of delegates.

“The meetings are really contained within this area. Cebu City was mainly included for traffic purposes,” she explained.

The ASEAN Summit, hosted by the Philippines this year, has drawn more than 3,000 delegates from ASEAN member-states and partner countries, including heads of state, ministers, diplomats, and business leaders.

Baricuatro also spoke about personally welcoming President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. upon his arrival in Cebu, despite delays in the President’s flight from Manila.

She said some officials suggested that she no longer wait for the President because of the delay, but she insisted on personally receiving him.

“It’s about sensitivity,” Baricuatro said. “We welcomed other dignitaries, so all the more that we should welcome our own President. It’s also about respect and sensitivity.”

The governor said she had a brief conversation with Marcos during the arrival, during which she thanked the President for national government support for infrastructure projects in Cebu, particularly water security initiatives.

She said the Marcos administration allotted around P8 billion through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the construction of dams in Cebu’s watershed areas.

“He gave us roughly around P8 billion for the building of the dams in the watershed area,” she said.

Baricuatro added that she also accompanied Marcos during parts of his visit around the General Aviation area and the Philippine Air Force base near Mactan-Cebu International Airport, where preparations for the summit had been underway for months.

“I saw that they did a very good job there. The work was really well done,” she said.

As part of her official duties during the summit, the governor said she had been assigned to receive dignitaries from Timor-Leste, as well as the prime ministers of Indonesia and Malaysia.

“I think I’m assigned to meet East Timor and also our Indonesian and Malaysian prime ministers. So it’s going to be a whole day,” she said.

Baricuatro reiterated that Cebu’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit is ultimately tied to long-term development goals for the province.

“This is what we are here for — for the development of Cebu,” she said. “My goal is to bring progress and development to the province through trade and tourism.”

Earlier, Baricuatro described Cebu’s hosting of the summit as a “golden opportunity” to showcase the province’s hospitality, culture, tourism appeal, and organizational capability before an international audience.

She also appealed to residents to remain patient amid temporary traffic disruptions and road closures.(TGP)