As I’ve hinted, the Philippines will request the Chicago-based RI Board of Directors to reconsider its withdrawal of Manila as the city of choice for the June 2028 convention.
Yes, Virginia, it’s official. The Philippines is no longer the host country. And it’s such a disappointment for those who, as early as last, already did the groundwork to ensure the success of the international gathering.
It would have been a fitting event to showcase the country as a tourist destination. But, it was nipped in the bud following RI’s unceremonious decision.
“We should stop going to RI (Rotary International) Conventions, stop giving to TRF (The Rotary Foundation), instead pool our resources & straight to our communities.”
This is just one of the reactions I received on my wall. The resentment was so seething led to a suggestion for “RI appointed regional officers resign en masse!”
Unlike the first withdrawal notification written by then RI President R. Gordon R. McInally with the admonition to keep it secret, this time around, the official RI announcement of “withdrawal was emailed” to the 10 concerned Rotary District Governors (DG), Past Rotary International Directors and the Chair of the Host Organizing Committee (HOC).
Shannon Watson, RI Director of Meetings and Events, wrote: “DECISION: The Board, the Executive Committee acting on its behalf, “withdraws its selection of Manila, Philippines, as host city of the 2028 Rotary International convention.”
And in contrast, Watson was more diplomatic, reassuring that the withdrawal would not prevent the Philippines “to consider submitting a proposal to host a future Rotary convention.”
Instead of being discouraged, HOC Chairman PDG Samuel D. Pagdilaro, Jr. quickly wrote RI President Stephanie Urchick to reconsider the withdrawal. “We earnestly request you and your Board to uphold the decision to select Manila as the tentative RI convention host city in 2028.”
Pagdilao, in his letter dated July 5, 2024, appealed to Urchick to reverse the decision of McInally. “We convey to you the hopeful expectations of Philippine Rotarians to finally have the opportunity to extend their warm welcome and hospitality to fellow Rotarians from all over the world.”
More importantly, he assured Urchick that no stone would be left unturned and that all hands would be on deck—from the executive to the legislative branches of government, including the Filipino Rotarians—to ensure the event’s success.
He enumerated the support of the Philippine government given by no less than the Chief Executive himself, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., during a courtesy call at Malacanang Palace last October 2023.
The backing of the Philippine Congress through House Resolution No. 1607 by the House of Representatives, which House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez personally handed over to McInally on February 27, 2024;
The assurance of support by the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board during the visit of the RI Inspection Team headed
by RI Director Vicky Puliz and Ms. Shannon Watson last November 2022.
Additionally, the support of all Filipino Rotarians by way of a special assessment for five years and financial support from the members of the Philippine College of Rotary Governors.
All things considered, my fervent prayer is for RI to heed the appeal of the HOC. Aside from the opportunity to showcase the country to the international audience, imagine the auxiliary economic activities that will be created by hosting the convention.
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