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Friday, November 24, 2006
Holidays during Asean limited to gov't. workers
By Jeanette P. Malinao
CEBU CITY -- It will be work as usual for all private companies during next month's Asean summit, as Malacañang amended the holiday declaration for December 11 to 14.
Only schools and the government sector are left covered by the declaration after Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita signed Proclamation 1032-A to exclude private businesses.
Sun.Star Network Online round-by-round coverage of the Pacquiao-Morales Sunday fight here
The special non-working holidays from December 11 to 14 will apply only to government employees at all levels in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, except those required to render emergency and security services.
Classes in all levels in both public and private schools are also suspended for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit holidays.
"Yes, the private sector is exempted from the earlier proclamation. But classes in both private and public schools are suspended," Philippine Ambassador to the Asean Marciano Paynor said in a text message to Sun.Star Cebu.
President Arroyo last March 10 declared the holidays for the Asean. But this met opposition especially from the manufacturing sector, which has deadlines to meet and deliveries to make.
Business
The banking sector also later joined the request for exemption, as their clients were worried of keeping large amounts of money for many days.
Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Francis Monera said the amendment is a welcome development for businesses.
He also said they will support all government programs and initiatives to make the Asean summit a success.
Monera, in a radio dyLA interview, also said they will have to coordinate with authorities for the details of the rerouting plan, such as the time that these will be implemented, so they can also brief their workers.
"We will make the necessary adjustments," said Monera.
But Citom Chief Arnel Tancinco revealed that with the amendment, there will not be much reduction in the volume of vehicles during the Asean summit.
Had the total holiday pushed through, Tancinco said there would be a reduction of 40 percent to 60 percent of the volume of traffic.
"We can expect a regular volume of vehicles. Mingaw siguro sa schools inig peak hours...But in areas where there are economic activities such as banking, delivery of goods, merchandising, there will be no reduction of traffic in commercial districts," Tancinco said.
Traffic
The Citom Board agreed that they will give recommendations for the Asean national organizing committee to reconsider.
The organizing committees plan to close what they call the ceremonial routes during the summit.
In Cebu City, for example, the roads affected will be S. Osmeña St., Juan Luna St. and Salinas Drive, or the way from SM to Marco Polo Hotel.
Tancinco said he knows all vehicles will be banned from these areas although he has yet to know at what time of the day. With the plan, he expects that people would have to walk far to reach their destinations.
At least 17 heads of states will arrive in Cebu for the summit. They will be bringing with them their spouses, ministers and other senior executive officials.
Volunteer
Meanwhile, an internationally known Cebuano furniture maker and designer have pledged to help the Cebu Provincial Government with the finishing touches of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia disclosed that Kenneth Cobonpue, a recipient of the Garbo sa Sugbo Award, said that he will help the Province.
Cobonpue, 34, is a degree holder in industrial design from the New York Pratt Institute and manages the furniture business of his family.
His works brought back international acclaim and prestige to the country's furniture industry after a decline spurred by competition from its neighboring Southeast Asian nations.
"He's doing it for his love of his native land, as he is certainly not doing it for the love of me," Garcia said in jest.
For two days now, the governor has spent several hours at the CICC each day to closely supervise the finishing works. (Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (November 24, 2006 issue)
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