As side trips of IPU activities, a big group of delegates have chosen Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Baguio, Subic, Villa Escudero and Tagaytay to be their top destination priorities.
Lomibao said the intelligence community has been tapped in fully implementing security measures for the delegates. The intelligence groups include units and elements from the PNP, Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP), other law enforcement agencies, and local government units (LGUs).
Velasco said there are some IPU delegates who may not wish to be provided security. "This is alright, as long as coordination with LGUs, local police and other law enforcement agencies is made," Velasco said.
"Our priority are the scheduled IPU activities," he added.
In visiting tourist destinations in the country, the hosts are usually government officials from the provinces or cities where the tourist spots are situated.
For instance, in Subic and Olongapo City, Sen. Richard "Dick" Gordon and Olongapo City Mayor Kate Gordon are the hosts; in Aklan where Boracay Island is located, the hosts are Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores and Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez, Kalibo Mayor Reymar Ribaldo and Malay Mayor Ceciron Cawaling. In Baguio, it is Rep. Mauricio Domogan and Mayor Braulio Yaranon.
In Bohol, it is Gov. Brico Aumentado; in Tagaytay City, it is Cavite Gov. Erineo "Ayong" Maliksi and Mayor Francis Tolentino, and in Villa Escudero, the governors and lawmakers, including Sen. Edgardo Angara.
About 1,500 delegates from 145 countries attended the IPU general assembly held for six days at the Philippine International Convention Center.
IPU president Sergio Verdugo Paez, IPU-president elect Franklin Drilon and IPU secretary general Anders B. Johnson and the delegates praised authorities for the security measures accorded them.
Drilon lauds gov’t, public sector for successful IPU
The successful staging of the 112th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) general assembly was the result of unity and cooperation extended by the government and the private sector.
This was expressed by Senate President Franklin Drilon yesterday, saying that the country benefited immensely from the staging of the most attended IPU meeting in its history.
Former IPU president Sergio Verdugo Paez of the Chilean Congress confirmed to members of the media that the Manila IPU meet was indeed the largest so far gathered in its more than 100 years of existence.
"Foreign lawmakers and their staffers who attended the conference left the country with positive impression that, contrary to the image portrayed in the international media, the Philippines was a safe place for visitors and investors," Drilon said.
Drilon, who was elected this year’s IPU president an honor normally bestowed upon the President of a Parliament or Senate of a hosting country also stressed that the success of the IPU meeting in Manila had given the country prestige in the international community.
"It has put back the Philippines in the global tourism map," Drilon said, adding that the success of the IPU dispelled the notion that the Philippines is a dangerous place to visit and invest.
The senator stressed that the success of the IPU spells the importance of unity and cooperation not only among government agencies but the private sector as well.
In the IPU meet, various government agencies notably the National Telecommunication Commission, Philippine National Police, Philippine Tourism Authority and a host of private sponsors worked together to make the conference memorable.
"Our country has proven that it is at par with our affluent neighbors when it comes to hosting big conferences attended by global movers and shakers. Once again, the world got a taste of Filipino hospitality," Drilon said.
Drilon expressed confidence that the Manila IPU meet would usher the "dawn of a new partnership among and between parliaments of more than a hundred countries represented at the IPU assembly.
In the closing ceremonies last Friday night, Paez congratulated the Philippines for the success of the meetings, stressing that he was impressed with the outcome and the conduct of the conference.
"(I am) very happy with the organization," he said.
Although minor glitches were recorded in security measures, the IPU delegates were generally safe.
Paez described as "adequate the security arrangements for the assembly and that the proceedings went smoothly." He attributed this to the host country’s effective harnessing of the services of the Philippine National Police. (Jude Galford III)
