Catbalogan to gain as host of mayors’ meet

TACLOBAN CITY – The city government of Catbalogan in Samar will benefit greatly from hosting the United Cities and Local Government Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) executive bureau meeting.

The international event to be attended by 300 local chief executives and officials from 19 countries will be held on April 5-7 in Catbalogan.

Catbalogan Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan said the meeting is an opportunity for the region to showcase its tourism destinations and opportunities for potential investments.

“We want to show to the international community that a small city from a province in Eastern Visayas can be a host to big events like this. Through this, we can establish ties with foreign and national officials for future international and national gathering relative to development partnership,” Uy-Tan said.

Catbalogan has invited all governors and mayors in the region to attend, interact with local chief executives from other countries, and learn from them.

The meeting seeks to gather important sector of society and solicit their commitments through declarations, workable actions, policy proposals, and projects to support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The mayor said the gathering also aims to solicit the commitment of local governments and cities to implement the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction. (PNA)