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Friday, March 24, 2006
Cebu City mayor gets 4-day holiday in December
CEBU CITY -- Three cities will get a four-day holiday in December this year, while Cebu hosts the ministers' summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
Proclamation 1032 declares Dec. 11, 12, 13 and 14 as special non-working days in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu. Dated March 10, the proclamation is signed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Joaquin Lagonera.
"It is but fitting and proper that the people of these cities be given full opportunity to participate in this important event," the proclamation said.
Sun.Star Cebu received a fax copy of the proclamation from the office of Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano, who was among the first to be informed by Malacañang's records office.
Concern for the security of foreign delegates has prodded Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to push for non-working holidays during the four-day summit, which starts on a Monday.
His view is that an extended break would encourage people to go out-of-town and allow Metro Cebu's authorities to focus on securing the summit's delegates and venue.
Certain leaders of the business community, however, have warned the holiday would be counter-productive.
"To them it's a business issue. To me this is an issue of safety. Can they not sacrifice for four days?" Osmeña has said in response to a request of a group of business owners in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue.
Mayor Ouano, however, agreed with the business group's request, saying the summit would give local business a chance to show delegates the economic potentials of Cebu.
"Business should remain open during the entire summit so foreign leaders and the investors who will accompany them will be impressed by Cebu's economic growth," he said.
An organizing committee headed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Francisco Benedicto has been created to prepare the summit venue.
The Provincial Government is attempting to build the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue in time for the summit, while preparations are underway to accommodate the dignitaries in Cebu's top hotels and resorts. (AIV of Sun.Star Cebu)
(March 24, 2006 issue)
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