Thursday, November 23, 2006 Rates hike during summits ‘normal’
INCREASE in rates of hotels and car rentals is “a normal business practice” anywhere there is a summit, said Philippine Ambassador to the Asean Marciano Paynor.
Paynor, secretary general of the Asean national organizing committee and chairman of the Cebu organizing committee, yesterday answered questions on whether the organizing committees are making a profit out of next month’s summit with the higher rates.
“I wish it were true, but no. We don’t earn a single centavo from anyone,” he told reporters after their meeting yesterday.
He called on the public to look at things in perspective by taking into consideration similar trends that happened during previous summits, not just the Asean but Apec as well.
“We must look at not just the Cebu summit, which is the 12th. There was the 10th summit, the 11th summit and prices are always different outside the meeting timeframe versus any other time,” said Paynor.
He said he attended previous summits and they were paying US$600 for the same room that they previously paid $250 for. They were even asked to pay in advance for a five-day stay that is forfeited even if the trip was cancelled for health or any other reasons.
As for the car rentals, he clarified that Cebu does not have enough cars so companies have to ship from Manila, aside from improving their existing vehicles.
Investment
It is investment that has to be recovered and must be passed on to the consumers, he said, adding that it is a “fair practice by anyone” and that “anywhere it is the same.”
He stressed that the government has saved money by the pledge of vehicles from private companies that will lend 71 BMWs, 42 Honda Accord and 42 utility vehicles from the Development Bank of the Philippines.
“We seek your support, including the local media. We spin positive reports on how we as a people come together…The whole Cebuano community has taken up the challenge and (each one) must be given credit for what they have done and what they continue to do,” he said.
At least 17 heads of states will be coming to Cebu for the summit. The leaders will be bringing their spouses, ministers and other senior executive officials.
The Philippines is still waiting for the final decision of the European Union, which is still debating on who to send.
“But there is one message being sent, that they all want to come,” said Paynor. (JPM)
