MANILA, Nov. 30 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead Monday the kick-off ceremony for the Philippines’ hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Makati City.
Monday's event is hosted by government's partners at the Department of Trade and Industry which will be held 5 p.m., Deputy Presidential Abigail Valte said in a radio interview on Saturday.
"So we hope to see you there for the unveiling of the Philippines’ hosting logo for APEC 2015," Valte told dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan.
On December 8 and 9, the government will host the Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting (ISOM) in Oriental Hotel in Legazpi City, she said.
Valte said ISOM will serve as the venue for agenda setting of priorities of the 21 APEC member economies for the country's hosting of the APEC next year.
"Mayroon din pong mga darating na mga notable speaker para mapag-usapan how the economies can move forward on the topics that are to be discussed in ISOM," she said
With regards to the government's overall preparation for the hosting of APEC, Valte said they are threshing out small details of the preparations but she said they are ready to spearhead the ISOM meeting in Albay.
She said they expect the participants to arrive next Saturday or Sunday in Legazpi City.
"So naghahanda na talaga tayo at mukhang maganda naman at nakakasa na rin ang ating mga preparasyon," she said.
"Siyempre, hindi lang ‘yan sa side ng national government, ngunit pati ‘yung mga local government partners natin--ang probinsya ng Albay under Gov. Joey Salceda at ang LGU ng Legazpi City."
Among the government agencies working for the successful APEC hosting are the Philippine Information Agency of Region V and also the Department of Tourism, Valte said.
The country's hosting of APEC next year is its second after 19 years. The Philippines last hosted APEC in 1996 during the administration of president Fidel V. Ramos.(PCOO/ PND (as)