Erap: Manila to showcase the best of PH’s capital during APEC meet

As world attention will be focused on Metro Manila during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting in the country from November 18 to 19, Mayor Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada expressed confidence and assurance that the city of Manila will rise up to the challenge of showcasing the best of the country’s Capital City. `

“To the world media, Manila will be the face of the Philippines during this historic meeting of the world’s most influential leaders. That is why, from the moment I assumed office as the local chief executive, I already ordered a major sprucing up of our parks, monuments, other public places and including playgrounds,” Mayor Estrada said.

He said he had ordered the Parks Development Office, headed by its officer-in-charge, Arsenic A. Lacson, to do massive improvement work on all of Manila’s public places, especially those in areas where the world leaders and their coterie of officials will be staying in or passing by.

APEC has 21 members, including Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Canada, United States, Chinese Taipei, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia, and Vietnam.

Malacañang has confirmed the attendance of U.S. President Barack Obama, Russia President Vladimir Putin, Indonesia President Joko Widodo, Mexico President Enrique Peña Nieto, Chile President Michelle Bachelet, and newly sworn-in Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the APEC meeting.

For his part, Lacson, son of the late Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson, said his office has been fulfilling Mayor Estrada’s order since Day-One of the latter’s administration. He bared that all of the city’s public places including playgrounds are now already in various levels of improvement and development.

Estrada has also earlier called on all residents of Manila to cooperate in the City government’s contribution to the over-all efforts in the preparation for the APEC meet.

“It is a great honor that the APEC ministers, who are the top movers and leaders of the world, are staying in or passing by some of Manila’s prime public places, especially, historic parks and monuments,” Estrada said, adding: “We have the honor and pride to present the best of Filipino hospitality and beauty in this world event.”