ILOILO City – Mayor Jose Espinosa III reiterated his administration’s support to the national government’s campaign against illegal drugs and criminality during President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to the city on Saturday. Iloilo was the only city in Western Visayas awarded by the Office of the President with the National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award last year, he said.
The President graced the national convention of the National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines at the Iloilo Convention Center in Mandurriao district.
Addressing the convention participants, Duterte reiterated the seriousness of his drive against illegal drugs and corruption.
“You have to have law and order,” said the President.
The problem, he said, was “overwhelming” and “swallowing the country.”
“There has to be a stop to these,” said the President.
The two-day motorcycle convention that the city hosted for the first time gathered some 4,000 participants.
“I warmly welcome President Duterte and bike enthusiasts from all over the country to the City of Love. Please try and enjoy La Paz batchoy and pancit Molo,” said Espinosa.
According to the mayor, the award from the Office of the President recognized the strides made by the city government’s anti-drug abuse program.
The program’s success, he stressed, made Iloilo City safe and thus an ideal convention destination.
The President, a bike enthusiast himself, viewed various big bike models on display at the Iloilo Convention Center’s main lobby. These were showcased by big companies such as Ducati, BMW, Kawasaki, and Petron.
The country’s Chief Executive is a known motorcycle rider and owns several motorbikes.
As a member of Davao City’s On Any Sunday Rider Club, the President said he travelled the “length and breadth of the country” and fell in love with the beauty of the Philippines.
The national convention of the National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines was the second big gathering hosted by Iloilo City in a week. From March 28 to 31 some 3,000 lawyers across the country were here for the 17th National Convention of Lawyers.
“We hosted lawyers and they were impressed by the local leadership. They praised the city for being clean and its people who are friendly,” said Espinosa.
With its adequate facilities and services for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE), Iloilo City is capable of hosting giant gatherings and conferences , and accommodating thousands of attendees./PN
