Cebu’s Cabbies Told Not to Bring APEC Delegates to ‘Red-light’ District

Officials urged taxi drivers not to bring delegates to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit senior ministerial meetings in Cebu starting in August to Cebu City’s “red-light” district.

“Don’t bring APEC delegates to the red-light district,” said Engr. Niel Balaba of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 7.

Cebu City’s red-light district in Barangay Kamagayan is frequented by local and foreign visitors.

Some 3,200 delegates are expected to come to Cebu to attend 30-40 meetings on Aug. 24-Sept. 11, Oct. 8-10 and Oct. 12-14.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7, Department of Tourism (DOT) 7, Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 and the Cebu Capitol started Wednesday a two-day orientation seminar for some 100 taxi drivers on the APEC events.

Drivers were given information about the APEC meetings and tips on what to do if they get passengers who are delegates.

They were told to keep their taxis presentable, to greet their guests and to be kind to them.

They were also taught what they should do if the guest has a medical concern or falls prey to petty thieves.

“Those are the things that we taught to them so that they will know what their relationship is to the emergency operation center. For non-APEC concerns, the local government unit will handle that,” Balaba said.

An emergency operation center of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will be located in Bayfront Hotel on Kaohsiung St., Cebu City.

Taxi drivers can directly call the center or any law enforcement officers who will be deployed in different areas in Cebu City during the meetings. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS