Established in 2000, the ANMC is the international organization of Asian local government units (LGU) that include Bangkok, New Delhi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Yangon and Metro Manila.

MMDA General Manager and Acting Chairman Robert Nacianceno said the Philippine delegation to the ANMC summit in Taipei demonstrated the commitment of Metro Manila to the goals of the ANMC in its bid to attract fellow members to attend the November 2007 conference in the country.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando sent Nacianceno to last year’s ANMC meet in Tokyo, Japan to signify the country’s hosting bid.

Nacianceno expects the ANMC in Metro Manila next year to be a rousing success since member delegates have asked information about the conference while others have confirmed their participation.

"The forthcoming ANMC in Metro Manila next year appears to have all the earmarks of success because this early we already have numerous requests for information about the conference and more importantly we have initially received confirmation of attendance from some delegates representing the 10 member countries,’’ Nacianceno noted.

Nacianceno stressed that the significance of hosting the ANMC is unquantifiable since influential and elected local officials and not ordinary Asian tourists will attend the meeting.

He expressed hope that Metro Manila would gain high marks from the participating delegates for being a beautiful and safe place to invest.

"These world leaders will see for themselves that the country, particularly Metro Manila, is not only a beautiful place to visit but is also a safe haven for their investments," he said.

However, during the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City last year, the country got a black eye after one foreign delegate who opted to take a pedicab to the site was mugged and robbed in broad daylight.

The local police eventually caught the suspect within 24 hours after the crime was committed as the delegate positively identified the pedicab driver as one of the three suspects who held him up and took his valuables.

Hopefully, the Philippine National Police should be prepared to maintain the safety of Metro Manila against criminals and lawless elements at least during the duration of the ANMC conference to avoid a repeat of the incident.

Private pilot Roy Clemente said the country should defer the hosting of the conference of Asian local government officials to avoid another worldwide embarrassment if the police are ill prepared to guarantee the safety of the delegates.

"The purpose of hosting the meet may be well meaning but instead of attracting foreign investors we are further exposing ourselves negatively to the world as poor hosts who cannot even protect their guests from snatchers and small time thugs,’’ Clemente said.

Nacianceno is optimistic that the meeting would bring closer ties among the member nations in easily handling common issues and concerns like Asian distance learning project, Asian cities network for controlling vehicle emissions, promotion of environmentally sound waste management and resource recycling, operation techniques and management skills of water and sewerage systems and others.