4-day Apec break, road schemes worry biz men

THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY has warned that disruptions to company operations during the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (Apec) Leaders’ meeting in November may pose an unnecessary burden for many firms.

Topping their worries are the government’s declaration of additional holidays and the implementation of traffic rerouting schemes because of Apecrelated events, according to the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP).

“We cannot accept that four nonworking holidays were declared, from Nov. 17 to 20. There are certainly ways to keep business going—especially the business process management and knowledge process management [industries]—and avoid additional financial burden on business,” ECCP vice president Henry Schumacher said in a text message Thursday.

Meanwhile, Makati Business Club executive director Peter Angelo Perfecto said “we are awaiting more briefings from the government. However, I believe business is in agreement that we cannot afford four days of no work. We urge the government to continue the dialogue with the business community to address the various concerns related to the successful hosting of Apec.”

In a meeting with the Department of Trade and Industry and other concerned agencies, various business organizations made a “strong appeal” against the declaration of two addition- al nonworking holidays, the ECCP said in a report.

“Not only would it be disruptive to the productivity of traditional companies, but business process outsourcing companies would have to find a way to work anyway and just pay 30 percent extra for it,” the chamber said.

The ECCP noted that Nov. 17 and 20 were considered the most crucial dates, with twothirds of the heads of states arriving on Nov. 17, and 11 of them leaving the country on Nov. 20. On those dates, the airspace over Metro Manila will also be practically closed to non-Apec-related traffic. This led to the DTI’s recommendation to have those two dates declared as public holidays.

The Department of Education has also declared the suspension of classes in Metro Manila on those dates.

The ECCP said business groups had also urged government agencies to “limit their measures [related] to traffic rerouting,” saying companies now have to find ways to make sure their staff could go to work “despite the commuting challenges.”

It cited the closure of roads around the Philippine International Convention Center Complex and SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, and the so-called “Apec lanes” on Edsa.

Since cell phone signals will also be affected in the Roxas Boulevard, PICC, and MOA areas on those days, some companies located there may have to come up with alternative communication channels, the chamber added.