C. Luzon to host APEC 2015

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — All roads lead to Central Luzon when it hosts in 2015 the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders summit, participated in by 19 countries, with key venues identified Thursday as Clark Freeport in Pampanga, Subic Bay in Zambales, and a world-class resort in Bataan.

Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta, Police Regional Office 3 director, said that as early as now the Philippine National Police (PNP) has started security preparations for the country’s hosting of the 2015 APEC Summit and its related ministerial and sub-ministerial meetings.

Describing the event as “another milestone in the country’s economic development,” Petrasanta said: “We had an ocular inspection and coordination meeting with officials of sites that are likely to host namely, Clark Freeport, Subic Freeport and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac town in Bataan.”

These efforts are being closely coordinated with the Departments of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and National Defense (DND).

Apart from the Philippines, other members of the APEC are Australia, Brunei Darrusalam, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, China, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia, and Vietnam.

In Bataan, Governor Abet S. Garcia and Mayor Ramil del Rosario of Bagac town expressed pride over the choice of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a 5-star resort hotel in the coastal town, as the venue for the APEC leaders – many of whom are critical decision-makers not just in the region but in the world economy.

“Las Casas is primarily eyed as a possible site for the activity of the spouses of visiting heads of state and government, while the leaders’ summit is ongoing,” said Petrasanta.

Las Casas, owned by construction magnate Jerry Acuzar, is famed for its centuries-old houses and world-class hotel rooms.

By the time the APEC 2015 unfolds, additional facilities like the Galeria Victoria, a fully-air-conditioned mall, will have been established through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) venture in Balanga City, Mayor Joet S. Garcia.