President Rodrigo Duterte has nothing to worry because the Philippines will not spend “a single centavo” as the country is set to host the Miss Universe pageant in 2017.
“I think he has been assured this time that the Philippine government will not be giving out a single centavo except of course in terms of certain services, in terms of protection, in terms of security, but not in actual cash out,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a press briefing on Friday.
Reports said Duterte had reservations about the country hosting the pageant because it’s “very expensive.”
READ: It’s official: PH to host 2017 Miss Universe pageant at MOA
On Thursday, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said that the government would not spend on the pageant, estimated to cost $11 million, as several individuals and companies from the private sector have expressed interest to sponsor it.
“Well, if he is assured that it is going to come from another sector, meaning private, then there is nothing to fear,” Abella said.
The announcement came more than a week after reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach discussed with Duterte the proposal to host the pageant in the Philippines.
READ: Duterte OKs proposal to hold Miss Universe in PH, says DOT chief
The Philippines last hosted the Miss Universe tilt in 1994, which crowned Sushmita Sen of India as winner. The country first hosted the pageant in 1974, when Margie Moran relinquished her title to Amparo Muñoz of Spain.
Binibining Pilipinas Universe Maxine Medina will represent the country in the pageant to be held on Jan. 30, 2017. RAM