ASEAN officials eyed as ‘Bacolod ambassadors’

BACOLOD City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia wants to turn senior officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as “ambassadors” of the city.

According to the mayor, the ASEAN officials could promote Bacolod when they return to their respective countries.

The city government is doing everything it can for the visitors, said Leonardia. “We would like to make them our promoters.”

Fifty delegates are expected to attend the 15th Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials Responsible for Information (SOMRI) to be held at the SMX Convention Center starting March 22 to 23.

Leonardia asked the public to be accommodating and courteous when they meet the delegates.

He also apologized for whatever inconvenience strict security measures is causing. “This is inevitable,” Leonardia said.

Authorities were on alert. Some 4,273 personnel from various government and nongovernment agencies will oversee the event, said Chief Superintendent Renato Gumban, regional police director.

Most police officers and soldiers were detailed at the Bacolod-Silay Airport, the hotels where the delegates are staying, and SM City Bacolod mall where the SMX Convention Center is located, he said.

Augmentation forces came from the Philippine National Police national headquarters and the Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental police provincial offices./PN

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here