'Pedicabs' to transport guests of Asia-Pacific mayors' meet in Catbalogan City

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, March 7 (PNA) -- "Pedicabs" will be the major means of transportation for foreign and domestic delegates in the upcoming United Cities Local Governments-Asia Pacific (UCLG-ASPAC) executive bureau meeting on April 5-7 2017.

Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan said they will not hide these pedicabs during the hosting of the international event "since this humble means of transportation makes the city more distinctive than the other parts of the region." 

Pedicab is a combination of words “pedal” and cab.”It is similar to a cycle rickshaw, a three-wheeled bicycle with a cab on the side. 

The city government asked the Department of Tourism regional office to train at least 150 pedicab drivers on basic courtesy, simple greetings, the route of the conference and as tour guides.

They will be provided with accreditation stickers, uniform and identification cards for security purposes. The training will start next week.

“This is the first time that the city will host an international event. We want to showcase to the world that we are ready and we have something unique to offer to our guests,” Uy-Tan said. 

“We will not scrap our local means of transportation just because we have an international event. These pedicabs have been part of our culture. It’s been there for years. The drivers will get financial assistance to improve the physical appearance of their cabs.” 

At least 300 guests are expected to converge in the city for the gathering of mayors and other key officials from 19 countries. The city is the capital of Samar province and home to 103,879 people. 

Catbalogan City is the only member of UCLG-ASPAC in the region. The organization is a regional section of UCLG and considered as the biggest of the eight sections in UCLG with linkages to more than 7,000 local governments in the Asia-Pacific area.

UCLG, in general, is a worldwide association of local government organizations, and is the only local government organization recognized by the United Nations.

Recently, the organization shifted its focus in advocating and advancing issues related to environmental protection and sustainable development such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, urban agenda, disaster risk reduction and management and the UN Habitat III.

The city’s hosting of the meeting will also be aligned with these issues and advocacies.

The gathering is themed “Kauswagan Kalibutan (Global Development): Creating Connections for Sustainable Societies.” 

It will highlight discussions on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), City and Local Government Enabling Environment Rating in Asia and Pacific, New Urban Agenda, Local Economic Development and the Local Implementation on Sendai Framework for Action on Disaster Risk Reduction. (PNA)
BNB/BS/SQM/VICKY C. ARNAIZ