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The Armed Forces asserted today that all security preparations have been put in place for the holding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Cebu City next week, adding there are no more reasons to postpone the gathering anew.

In a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, AFP public information office chief Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro also assured that the contingency measures earlier adopted by the military and the police are still in effect.

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Cebu’s tourism and information and communication technology (ICT) sectors are expected to fuel the province’s economic growth this year, senior officials said.

Cebu Investments and Promotion Center (CIPC) managing director Joel Mari S. Yu said improved infrastructure catering to Cebu’s tourism and ICT sectors may result in the doubling or tripling of the province’s growth within the year.

“The games for 2007 will be played by ICT, and tourism,” Yu said.

Cebu will be one of the major cities in the Philippines and is bound to win this game, as this has been the priority sectors for Cebu in the last couple of years, he noted.

Philstar.com - The Filipino Global Community

t is not yet definite if Malcañang would declare a holiday for the duration of the rescheduled 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cebu next week.

The Cebu Organizing Committee has recommended that only January 12 and 15 be declared holidays since the two days in between them would be a Saturday and Sunday.

Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Secretary General of the National Organizing Committee, said in a telephone interview that the recommendation was drafted yesterday during a meeting with the Office of the Executive Secretary and upon consultation with the local government units here in Cebu.

Paynor said, the local government units have recommended a four-day holiday from January 12 to 15, but because January 13 and 14 fall on a weekend, the COC deemed it appropriate to only recommend to Malacañang January 12 and 15.

Paynor explained that the holidays can only be declared if President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issues an executive order. If there would be one, Paynor said that they expect it to be released this week.

ABS-CBN Interactive

With President Arroyo as presiding chairman, the postponed five-day 12th summit of the Association of Southeast Nations finally opens on January 10 at the sprawling Cebu International Convention Center in Cebu City.

The event will be doubly significant. First, because it is being hosted by the Philippines away from its national capital in Manila to let the limelight shine on Cebu as a vibrant business community. Second, because it falls on the 40th year of the organization’s founding on August 8, 1967.