The local government unit (LGU) of Panglao shifted its preparations for the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in the resort town to high gear making final arrangements a week prior to the event.

According to Mayor Leonila Montero, security measures for the four-day event which is projected to draw delegates from 34 nations were already being planned as early as April.

Montero noted that the ACD event which will be highlighted by an energy forum is expected to be bigger than the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings held in the town in April.

The ACD has 34 member-countries while the ASEAN is a 10-nation bloc.

So far, around 120 foreign and local delegates have arrived in Bohol ahead of the meetings which start on August 7, said Capitol special events coordinator Liza Flores.

Representatives from the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are also expected to attend the ACD energy discussions, added Flores.

The conference’s main events are the ACD Energy Working Group Meeting and the 1st East Asia Energy Forum.

According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the forum will tackle energy issues particularly the ACD Energy Action Plan.

The ACD was inaugurated in June 2002 in Cha-Am, Thailand, where 18 Asian foreign ministers met together for the first time.

The ACD is a continent-wide forum, the first of its kind in Asia.

From April 18 to 22, Panglao also hosted delegates from ASEAN member-countries for a series of meetings in line with the ASEAN Summit 2017 which is hosted by the Philippines. (A. Doydora)