It’s all worth it.
President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday justified the inconveniences brought by the country’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Manila, which forced thousands of people to walk on the road and endure hours of traffic and suspended work and classes.
In his speech during the conclusion of the Apec meeting at the International Media Center, Aquino said the results of the high-level meetings with the leaders of the 21 member-economies would be beneficial for Filipinos in the long haul.
“I am grateful to our countrymen who have expressed their support for our hosting. I believe that most of our people understand the concept that good things come from hard work and sacrifice.”
“And believe me, it has been worth it,” Aquino said.
READ: Aquino says this year’s Apec broader, focused on inclusive growth
The President said the world leaders praised how the Philippines hosted the Apec summit.
“All my fellow leaders heaped praise on how our people welcomed them and their words really made me swell up with pride,” he added.
Aquino said the country welcomed 11,000 people for the Apec summit, which was more than double the number of visitors the country accommodated when it first hosted the conference in Subic in 1996.
The President said the number of people who visited the country for the meeting was the same number of new jobs created for Filipinos.
“Each one of these visitors creates one new job for us; they have also now seen our country and met our people. In other words, they have discovered that the Philippines not only works, but it is indeed more fun,” Aquino justified.
The Apec hosting of the country did not proceed without a hitch, however, as thousands took to the streets to slam the government for staging the event on Thursday.
READ: Anti-Apec activists mount protests all over Metro
Dozens of protesters and several policemen were hurt in the violent clash which ensued as protesters tried to breach the barricades set up by policemen leading to the venue of the Apec meeting.
On Monday, thousands walked the stretch of Roxas Boulevard after it was closed to motorists so that Apec leaders and delegates could pass through.
READ: Longest road trip of my life: 8 hours to work
Special Apec lanes were also put up on Metro’s main thoroughfares, further worsening the already horrific traffic situation in the metropolis.
Aside from road closures, more than 200 flights were canceled during the Apec week.
The government spent P10 billion pesos for the Apec hosting. RC
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