TACLOBAN
CITY, Aug. 9 -- Local government officials in Eastern Visayas cited the
benefits of Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Economic Community to
this region.
Leyte
Governor Leopoldo Dominico said with the ASEAN integration, someone from the
province can apply a job in Thailand or Singapore without securing a visa.
“With the
integration, looking for a job in any ASEAN country is like seeking a job in
Cebu or Manila. Our students will also have the opportunity to study abroad
through exchange program,” Petilla said during the ASEAN landmark lighting
Tuesday night at the MacArthur Memorial Landing Park in Palo town.
The
activity is part of the nationwide 50th ASEAN anniversary, with similar events
simultaneously held in 50 cities and towns in the country.
The ASEAN
free trade area will encourage local farmers to become more competitive to
penetrate the international market, he said.
“As we
develop our agriculture sector by training and providing assistance to farmers,
we can become exporter of farm products someday,” Petilla said.
Government
officials and residents join the walk for peace and ASEAN landmark
lighting event at the park.
Groups
from different Leyte towns entertained the audience with cultural
presentations.
In
Tacloban City, local government officials and public school teachers joined the
parade and lighting event at the city hall grounds. The city government
suspended the classes on Tuesday.
“We feel
much honored to be one of the chosen cities. We are one of the progressive
cities in the nation and of course here in our region. It is very symbolical as
part of the growing city within the country,” said Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez.
The city
government also held a poster- and slogan-making contest, quiz bee, and street
parade capped by fireworks display after the landmark lighting event.
In Ormoc
City, the local government transformed the old city hall into a future museum.
Landmark lighting events were centered at the grounds of the old building.
“It’s a
dream come true for us that the old building is being transformed into a
valuable cultural property as the future city museum,” said Mayor Richard
Gomez.
A series
of cultural performances were showcased before and after the lighting of the
ASEAN lantern placed on top of the old city hall.
The old
building, built sometime in 1940s, transformed to look like a “White House in
the making” at daytime. Colorful lights from the outside enhanced the beauty of
the building at night, making it another attraction to behold in the city.
In
Balangiga, Eastern Samar, officials and residents gathered at the town plaza
for the landmark lighting event. Teachers and students dramatized the
1901 attack that claimed the lives of 48 American officers and men, and 28
Filipinos.
“Our
forefathers fought for freedom and this represents the principles of ASEAN.
This landmark is a representation of ASEAN countries to struggle for unity,”
said Mayor Randy Graza.
Officials
also gathered outside the city hall in Maasin City in Southern Leyte for a
simple commemoration, which include messages from local officials, presentation
of ASEAN overview, and other activities related to the celebration of the
city’s charter day on Thursday.
Department
of the Interior and Local Government Regional Director Marivel
Sacendoncillo expressed elation over the active involvement of local
government units in Eastern Visayas to welcome the country's hosting of the
ASEAN Summit.
"This
will help promote unity and appreciation among our people of the culture of
fellow ASEAN countries," she said.
Five
countries, including the Philippines, established the ASEAN on August 8 1967 to
promote political, economic socio-cultural and security cooperation to ensure
peace, stability and shared prosperity in the region.
The group
has grown to ten member nations that include Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. (SQM/with
reports by Joseph Pilapil, Angelica Royo, & Alecxis Panganiban, OJTs)
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