Mayor urges US envoy to consider Iloilo City as port of call

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 19): Mayor urges US envoy to consider Iloilo City as port of call

Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III has requested United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim to consider this metropolis for the port call of their vessels.

The US ambassador paid a courtesy call to the mayor at the Iloilo City Hall on Thursday.

As for Espinosa’s request, the ambassador told the mayor that he will look into it.
Espinosa believed that bringing in one US vessel, which carries more or less 5,000 personnel can “boost the tourism aspect of Iloilo City tremendously.”

It would benefit restaurants, department stores and even “pasalubong” (souvenir) centers because of their purchasing power, he said.

Ambassador Kim said he heard a lot about Iloilo City as one of the most successful cities in the Philippines.

He also learned about the city’s successful partnerships, especially with the United States Agency for International Development.

The courtesy call was followed by a private meeting together with members of the Iloilo Trade and Investments Promotions Board.

The board will be leaving for a trade mission to the United States in June.

The envoy is alsoo scheduled to have a private dinner with Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1032557