The Philippine government assured “a safe and successful” hosting of the Miss Universe pageant in the country in 2017.

“We cannot afford any lapses in security, our enforcement agencies will make sure that there will be a safe and successful holding of the Miss Universe,” Interior Undersecretary Emily Padilla told reporters in a Palace briefing.

As early as August, Padilla said the Philippine National Police (PNP) met twice with the Department of Tourism and Miss Universe Organization to discuss security preparations.

“We have presented to them the security plans and conducted ocular inspections in the big day’s venue and we will do the ocular inspection in other areas,” she said.

READ: A Look at the Miss Universe 2016 Philippines Itinerary

Padilla said that on Thursday, the PNP called a command conference to discuss security matters in hosting the pageant.

“We have the security plans, not just for Metro Manila, but all the provinces that contestants will be going to,” she said.

She said assured the public that the government would provide necessary security during the hosting of the pageant.

“We have managed to show the world already that we are capable of providing security to major events, like the Papal visit and the Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), and now the ASEAN which will coincide with this Miss Universe,” she said.

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.

Miss Universe-Philippines Maxine Medina will represent the country in the pageant to be held on Jan. 30, 2017. IDL