MIAS 2020 postponed due to COVID-19 concerns

Will attending public gatherings be worth the risk now that the country is faced with the problem that is COVID-19? Planners of all types of events, from the biggest concerts, international exhibitions to the smallest meetings, are faced with a hard choice of whether to push through with or cancel their scheduled events.

But with the welfare of the exhibitors and visitors in mind, the organizers of the hugely popular Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) decided to postpone the event.

The MIAS is slated for April 2 to 5 at the World Trade Center and Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

Worldbex Services International, issued the announcement last Monday.

Incidentally, Worldbex also postponed the Philippine World Building and Construction Exposition also known as the Worldbex Show, an event it also organizes. The Worldbex Show was initially slated for next week, from March 18 to 22 at the World Trade Center and PICC, and a third simultaneous venue in SMX.

It was supposed to be the first time for both MIAS and Worldbex Show to use PICC as venue.

Both shows have been regarded as the biggest annual auto show and construction shows, respectively.

The Worldbex Show was supposed to celebrate its 25th anniversary next week.

The alarming spread of COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on major events in the Philippines. Likewise, President Duterte signed Proclamation 922 last Monday, declaring a state of public health emergency due to the worsening threat of the 2019 corona virus disease.

“All government agencies and LGUs are hereby enjoined to render full assistance and cooperation and mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate response and measures in a timely manner to curtail and eliminate the COVID-19 threat,” Duterte said in his proclamation.

The Proclamation also empowers Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to call upon the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies to provide assistance in addressing the COVID-19 threat.

“All citizens, residents, tourists, and establishments owners are urged to act within the bounds of the law to comply with the lawful directives and advisories to be issued by appropriate government agencies to prevent further transmission of the COVID-19 and ensure the safety and well-being of all,” Duterte added.

The organizer said, the temporary postponement was a difficult decision but after extensive and careful consideration it was decided as the right thing to do.

With the safety and health of all its staff and also the staff of its exhibitors, sponsors, events contractors and security personnel potentially at risk, the decision to postpone the event drew mostly praises from members of the auto industry, car enthusiasts and netizens who also expressed disappointment since many of them were looking forward to seeing the latest car models to be unveiled at the annual event.

The MIAS 2020 was supposed to be the 16th edition. The event drew some 142,000 visitors last year.

According to the organizers, they are still assessing when would be the appropriate time to reschedule the event, given that the calendar for both World Trade Center Manila and PICC are always full.