ASEAN SUMMIT in CEBU

[jaybhe]

---

The 12th Asean Summit a stunning success!
INSIDE CEBU By Bobit S. Avila
The Philippine Star 01/15/2007

Today is the final day for our hosting of the 12th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit and thank God, there were no untoward incidents that occurred despite all those foreign travel warnings and a week-long lousy weather and yes, that bombing in GenSan last week. Early during the preparations for the summit, many doomsayers predicted that our hosting of the ASEAN Summit would fail… but now it turns out that the ASEAN Summit has been "a moment of glory for the Philippines," as stated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA), and I fully agree with that statement. Now you can say that these doomsayers were all wrong and they are now eating their own words.

Two major drafts that ASEAN has agreed on is the adoption of the ASEAN Charter as pushed by the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) led by our very own former President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) which would certainly push ASEAN forward to greater cooperation and unity. This was one of the issues fully backed by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as the only way to make sure that ASEAN will never be irrelevant. On this issue alone, you can say that the ASEAN Charter that emanated from Cebu is a historic success for all ASEAN members and their people.

Another landmark declaration that was adopted almost immediately as the ASEAN Summit talks began was the Cebu Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers, This declaration was embraced by the ASEAN member nations as a lot of people living within ASEAN work in foreign soil.

With the Cebu Declaration, the rights of migrant workers are now guaranteed. When all the paper work on this declaration is finalized, henceforth, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) would invoke the ASEAN Cebu Declaration whenever they run into problems in their host-countries, something that they cannot do until now.

Another landmark agreement, which was signed by President Arroyo, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Malaysian Prime Minster Adbullah Ahmad Badawi was the creation of the long-delayed Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) which has seen many international conference tables without a clear-cut signed agreement.

This agreement is virtually an "open skies" memorandum of understanding (MOU) allowing seven major international airports to be granted fifth freedom traffic rights. These are the international airports of Davao and Zamboanga in the Philippines, Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei, Pontianak and Balikpapan in Indonesia, and Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in Malaysia.

No, Cebu is not and has never been a part of the BIMP-EAGA, as we’ve wanted Mindanao to be the principal beneficiary of this endeavor. That means, Cebuanos will just fly to Davao or Zamboanga to go to these destinations, thus opening up Davao and Zamboanga to more international tourists who would come from our so-called backdoor area. Now both the Davao and Zamboanga airports will truly be international in scope and operations.

An obviously delighted Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo was agog about the economic boom that has blessed Cebu, saying, "We have placed Cebu on the map of international tourism, investments and trade. These gains are permanent as the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), which is a powerful symbol of strong, resilient, determined and hardworking spirit of all Cebuanos."

Thanks, Secretary Romulo, for giving the Cebuanos their due. He admitted last December that he, too, thought that we could not finish the CICC… but Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia presented it to him a week before the ASEAN Summit was to start… but it was the weather that postponed the summit. When that happened, the doomsayers were euphoric, saying that the postponement of the summit was a black mark against the Arroyo government. Hellooww, it was as if we had full control of the weather.

With the ASEAN Summit in full swing, so too were the ever nosy and noisy protesters who always lay claim to represent the Filipino people. Last Thursday, a few members of the Kilusang Mangingisda (KM), the fishermen’s group affiliated with the Laban ng Masa (LM), a leftist group, tried to stage a fluvial protest on board some 60 or so bancas from Tangke, Talisay. But only less than half of the bancas could leave the shores of Talisay as the alert Maritime Police intercepted them in Cebu City.

Where did these fishermen get funding to stage a water-borne rally? Well, it turned out that around 40 members of the KM came from Manila. But were they all fisherfolk? I seriously doubt it. Those people were well-funded, otherwise they couldn’t have hired more than 60 bancas for their protest action. Last Saturday, another small group of around 50 protesters trooped to Fuente Osmeña far away from the summit site, because their real purpose was to draw the media to make a report on their activities. But the PNP didn’t even make any move against them as Mother Nature dropped a strong rain on the protesters and that was it.

Also last Thursday there was a Ford Expedition that was obviously traveling too fast (I believe the driver was drunk) that the vehicle careened off the rail guard of the Fernan Bridge and landed on the mini-park under the Mandaue side of the bridge. Speculation was that this was one of the vehicles used in the ASEAN Summit, but we couldn’t confirm that. These were interesting sidelights to the ASEAN Summit that made the news.

Today, all the events will be held at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) where the official farewell will be held at around 3 p.m. Since this article was sent on Saturday, I’m sure that the ASEAN delegates would still come up with more news-breaking stories. But if there’s anything we need to give credit where credit is due, credit for the success of our hosting the ASEAN Summit goes to President Arroyo who showed all Filipinos that big international events can be hosted by other cities in the Philippines, not just Manila. She’s the only President who truly believes that the Philippines is not only Manila.

[chergent_schazee]

nakabaktas na hinuon ko ganiha, last day pa na man. ok lang k daghan man kau ang nanganaog sa may mabolo aron magbaktas. nalingaw lang sad ko nagtanaw sa mga speeding cars sa gsakyan sa mga delegates, hehehe...

[tolstoi]

ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL - Shakespeare

CONGRATS TO ALL CEBUANOS FOR MAKING THE 12TH ASEAN SUMMIT A SUCCESS!!!

[tolstoi]

Best summit so far, delegates say

CEBU CITY -- As the East Asian leaders' gathering came to a close Monday, officials from other countries said Cebu not only equaled international standards in hosting, but probably set the standards higher. Ahmad Shahizan Samad, deputy director-general of Asean-Malaysia, said Cebu has done an "extremely superb and excellent" hosting of the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit.

"The traditions of Asean summits were all there, but I have to say you really set the standards now in terms of organizing and performance," Samad said in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu.

Samad was with the special adviser to Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as he went around and bought Cebu products from the exhibits at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) where the East Asia summit, the biggest among the recent gathering of leaders in Cebu, was held.

After she bade farewell to the heads of state and government, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said in her press conference at the CICC: "Our people put their best foot forward for the whole regional neighborhood. Daghang salamat, Sugbo."

Aesthetics

Bhagwant Bishnoi, deputy chief of the Indian mission in Bangkok, also said it was "the best summit so far."

"Cebu has set a new standard. Our apprehension now is I'm sure our leaders will tell us to replicate what Cebu has done in terms of hosting," he told Sun.Star Cebu.

Bishnoi said he noticed that the materials used to spruce up the venues were not expensive but the "aesthetic sense that the Filipinos are known in the world for is extremely evident in every aspect."

He told Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia that they took pictures of the various summit venues, which he described as "breathtakingly beautiful, very exotic and the best we've ever seen," so they will have ideas on what to do when it is their turn to host summits. But beyond the physical preparations, Bishnoi told Sun.Star Cebu they were awed by the "warmth and courtesy" with which the Cebuanos greeted them everywhere his delegation went.

"I went to a store to buy a beer, and four people greeted me in unison. And there are no overcharging issues at all," he added.

Surprised

Governor Garcia attributed the success of the summit to the collective effort of so many Cebuanos. "I just pitched in to do my share. It shows that Cebuanos can unite to showcase the best of what we have. Most importantly, we proved that we can do it and we can do it again," Garcia said.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Luis Cruz, who was in charge of the preparations for the substantive issues, said they only did everything they could in the tradition of Filipino hospitality.

"We are pleased with the reactions of participants of the summit, they were really surprised," Cruz told Sun.Star Cebu. At least three first ladies who witnessed a Battle of Mactan reenactment and joined a two-hour tour of Cebu City were so impressed with Cebu, they plan to make private visits here, according to First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

"The spouses enjoyed a lot. They found the city bus tour very unique. They found the Filipinos so friendly and loving," Mr. Arroyo said. "The committee worked hard. Their hard work paid off," he said.

The Cebu sub-committee on the spouses' program is chaired by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Francisco Benedicto and co-chaired by Cebu City First Lady Margot Osmeña.

The spouses were first treated to a reenactment of the Battle of Mactan last Saturday and had lunch at the Mactan Shrine.

On Sunday, they unveiled the marker of the Asean Friendship Park in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City and went on a bus tour that included the Cebu Capitol, Colon St. and Magellan's Cross. Dancers performed at each stop to display the Sinulog and other Cebuano festivals. The spouses were then treated to lunch and a fashion show, featuring Cebu-made products, at the Capitol social hall. (Sun.Star Cebu)

[budmendz]

Ug ang mga buta/nagpa buta-buta nakakita...



Gwen rivals praise CICC

LOCAL officials belonging to Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s rival camp stepped inside the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) Sunday night, and agreed that the building “is serving a purpose.”

“Okay ra man. It serves a purpose as of the moment,” said Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez (Cebu, 4th district).

Sun.Star Network Online's 12th Asean Summit watch

“But the question is, what are you going to do with this building after the Asean?” Martinez said, when Sun.Star Cebu asked for her impressions on the building. Martinez was seen at the CICC before she and other Philippine officials took a bus to the gala night at Shangri-la Mactan.

Cebu Rep. Simeon Kintanar found the CICC “a very impressive structure” that has made the Asean summit “more meaningful” to Cebu.

If peace and order remain stable, Kintanar said Cebu is now a possible good choice for conventions, other than Singapore and Bangkok.

“Nice pagkahimo. Wala ko mag-expect nga ing-ani (It’s nice. I didn’t expect it to be like this),” Provincial Board (PB) Member Estrella Yapha told Sun.Star Cebu.

Yapha, who was vocal against the construction and said money must instead be poured into health services, went to the CICC for the Malacañang-hosted pre-gala cocktails for the Cabinet members, members of Congress and local businessmen.

She was accompanying her husband, Rep. Antonio Yapha, who also considers the CICC “gwapo pagkahimo” (beautifully done).

PB Member Yapha had boycotted the session where the additional budget for the CICC was passed and did not go with the rest of the PB when they inspected the site during construction.

Last Sunday, she said the CICC is “more or less better” than the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila and its façade is “grander.”

“At least, Cebu now has a landmark like this,” she said in Cebuano.

Yapha, however, expressed concern on what could be a “high maintenance cost” for the CICC and the electric bills for all the lights.

She hopes the CICC will still have a use now that the Asean summit is over.

The CICC, which costs P515 million, was funded by the Cebu Provincial Government. It stands on a lot owned by the Mandaue City Government.

The Capitol and Mandaue City plan to form a body that will take care of marketing and managing the CICC.

According to Mandaue Mayor Thadeo Ouano, he and Governor Garcia will appoint three members each to the board.

Before the construction of the CICC last year, Ouano and Garcia signed a memorandum of agreement that ensures both local government units will have equal share in the operational expenses.

The creation of a management board to handle the operations and management of the CICC is included in that agreement. The board will be co-chaired by Garcia and Ouano.

Councilor Wenceslao Gakit, whom Ouano has asked to handle CICC matters in his behalf, said that the board will decide whether the CICC will be run by the government or a private entity.

A marketing and promotions arm will be designated to scout for big events that can be held at the CICC. Other ways being considered to promote the CICC are by including it in the brochure for Mandaue and creating a separate website that features only the CICC.(JPM/AAG)

For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here.

(January 16, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.

[cc_3125]

me... salamat sa diyos wala ko kasuway ug asean sangit,hehe

[--Makoy--]

finally.. human na jud. balik na sa normal ang traffic.. except kung moandar na pud ang hambog aning mga pulis

[wanderlust]

The ASEAN summit has resulted to landmark achievements like the Cebu Declaration on East Asia Energy Security which aims to to reduce the region’s dependence on the more expensive and environmentally harmful fossil fuels. Another is the Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers which is a step in the right direction towards ensuring that migrant workers, whether legal or undocumented, are given adequate protection by their host countries.

Kudos to all who contributed to make this event successful and made the country proud. :mrgreen:

[wanderlust]

COOPERATION - that's a BIG word that the ASEAN Summit would bring ....

Globalization is already upon us, we would need the help of our nieghbors, and this is basically the motive of the Summit. Diba kita man kahay nagpa-uso anang term nga "bayanihan", why can't we welcome our nieghbors to the table to talk about thing relevant to us ... If we shun ourselves against the rest of the world .. what would become of us? Another North Korea perhaps?

There was a lot of goodwill during the summit, which eased the way for the signing of agreements greatly beneficial to us. I guess the good impression that we gave the delegates also helped promote this goodwill.

It is time to do away with the atmosphere of distrust that has pervaded the relations of ASEAN member-countries. As the theme aptly puts it: "one sharing and caring community".

[FK]

Excuse us

Police escorted the ASEAN leaders through the closed-off streets here with a message for local residents whose daily lives were disrupted: “We’re sorry!”

Street vendors along convoy routes were ordered to stay away during the days of the summit meetings, while local drivers were sometimes bottled up in traffic for hours due to security concerns.

But between the blaring sirens, as the limousines of the 16 heads of state and government sped to their meetings, police shouted through loud hailers (megaphones): “Excuse us! Sorry!”

They also shouted the message many wanted to hear most of all: “Just one more day!” The summit ended yesterday.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquire...ticle_id=43638

it is very heartwarming nga ang mga police mangayo og pasaylo sa kahasol.