ZAMBOANGA CITY--Zamboanga City opened its doors to nearly 2,000 city and municipal from all over the country, as the city hosts the third quarterly meeting of the Philippine Councilors’ League 2018.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar thanked the PCL for choosing this city as the venue of the three-day national gathering, which opened Wednesday, September 19.
Salazar said the event will give Zamboangueños the opportunity to showcase their rich and colorful history, as well as the potentials of this city as a tourist and economic hub in Western Mindanao.
Although the event ends on Friday, she noted that several of the delegates are staying here until the weekend to visit such tourist spots as the pink sand beach on Greater Sta. Cruz Island and the other 11 islands.
“We thank the PCL for converging in the city and we thank God and Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar for this opportunity to host the PCL,” Salazar said.
“We extend a very warm welcome to all the delegates,” she added.
First district Rep. Celso Lobregat said the holding of the PCL here is a huge boost to the local economy and tourism, “having them to see for themselves our beautiful Asia’s Latin City.”
Lobregat hopes the participants will be impressed with the hospitality of the local council members, especially those who have never visited the city before.
“For and in behalf of the Congressional Office of District 1, I would like to welcome all the delegates of the PCL who will stay here for the next three to four days, Bienvenidos a todos!,” he said.
Myra Paz Valderroza-Abubakar, former city councilor and newly-installed Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director, said that 1,760 participants have registered as of Tuesday afternoon and “more are set to arrive Wednesday.”
Abubakar was involved in the preparations for the holding of the PCL here, herself being a former head of the PCL-local chapter.
President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Abubakar last month as the new DOT regional director.
Benito Brizuela, PCL national executive vice president, said the main agenda of the PCL is the continuous local legislative education program (CLLEP) for its members. (PNA)
