Iloilo City to present bid to host APEC in 2015

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Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog announced that a team from the Iloilo City government will present a bid to host the Asia Pacific Ministerial Meeting in this city by 2015.

Mabilog said the presentation will be held at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati City on Tuesday, May 28 and city lone district congressman Jerry P. Treñas will do the presentation to a panel composed of representatives of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to cement Iloilo City’s bid to host about nine ministerial meetings.

The presentation will focus on the many amenities particularly on A-Accessibility, P-Public-Private partnership, E-Economic infrastructure and C-Culinary delights of the southern city.

Treñas will be assisted in the presentation by city tourism officer Ben Jimena, city planning officer Jose Roni Peñalosa, Leah Lara of the Iloilo Business Club and representatives of the Department of Tourism.

The APEC meeting of heads of states such as presidents and prime ministers of 23 countries in Asia and the Pacific rim is proposed to be held in Metro Manila and Boracay while the ministerial meetings composed of several ministers and Cabinet officials will be held in several areas of the Philippines.

Mabilog said that by the end of 2014, the Iloilo International Convention Center will be completed by the Department of Tourism and Tourism Infrastructure Enhancement Economic Zone (TEIZA) and at least seven high-end hotels and condominiums will be ready to host some 5,000 delegates and the ministers' staff to the ministerial meetings.

By that time, the Parola ferry terminal project along the Parola area will also be completed in order to facilitate the eco-adventure tour in Guimaras island province for the APEC guests.

Mabilog said the ferry terminal project will start by next month with a final advice from the Philippine Coast Guard on the completion of its new building.

The P260-million ferry terminal project is divided between the Double Dragon Properties Inc. and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

Double Dragon will construct a P165-million modern terminal building, a shopping complex and a park as a public-private partnership (PPP) for ferry boats going to Guimaras and back to the city.

On the other hand, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) will construct the P135-million Parola wharf and slope improvement component of the total project cost. (Source:PNA)

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