Gov. Baricuatro says Cebu ready for ASEAN Summit

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro on Wednesday expressed readiness for the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit as local officials guaranteed that security, traffic, and venue preparations are in place.

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. will join his fellow heads of state from the regional bloc during the Leaders’ Summit on May 7 and 8.

“We in Cebu, we are ready,” Baricuatro was quoted in a statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office. 

She said security preparations are already 80% complete, with enhanced emergency response systems and hospitals on “code blue” alert throughout the Summit.

She added that rehearsals and dry runs would be conducted prior to the arrival of heads of state and delegates.

Delegations are expected to be concentrated in Lapu-Lapu City, where key summit activities will take place, including meetings at the newly constructed Mactan Expo in Mactan Newtown.

Nagiel Bañacia, who serves as head of the Lapu-Lapu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said preparations in the city have been underway since December, including extensive information campaigns and traffic management planning.

Bañacia noted that road closures would be limited to convoy movements and will be reopened immediately after. He noted that the two major bridges connecting Lapu-Lapu to mainland Cebu will remain open throughout the summit.

“We understand that daily life must continue even as we host this summit,” he said, adding that 70 to 90% of emergency preparedness measures are already in place.

In Cebu City, traffic management plans are also in place, with no full-day road closures expected.

For its part, the Department of Public Works and Highways reported that preparations for national roads have been completed as it urged the public to maintain cleanliness and dispose of waste properly during the event. — RSJ, GMA News