So the news has finally been confirmed. Yes, Miss Universe 2016 will be held in Philippines. The announcement was made today at a press conference in Makati by Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo.
"I would like to inform everybody that the Miss Universe pageant will be on January 30, 2017 in the Philippines," said Teo. "The government is not going to spend any single centavo. It will be the private sector who would shoulder the expenses."
According to earlier reports, President Rodrigo Duterte said that the government has to seek after other important things and will have to prioritize certain issues. He said that “I would not spend money on that.” As per the reports, the cost of hosting the next Miss Universe pageant is estimated at around $10 to $12 million.
CONFIRMED! Miss Universe 2016 will be held in Philippines
Teo mentioned during the press conference that the funding will come from private sector. "Private sector will handle the expenses. The president's concern was the gastos (expenses). But when we assured him that there will be no funding from the government."
During the press conference Tourism Undersecretary Kat de Castro said that they got in touch with Shawn McClain, the vice-president of Business Development and Marketing at the Miss Universe Organization, to sort out issues.
"They got in touch with me this morning. Shawn McClain, who is the VP at Miss U, was shocked when that article came out because everyone was already on board. The article says the president doesn't want it to happen," De Castro said.
Teo called Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to discuss if her department can announce the news about Philippines hosting the Miss Universe pageant. "I told [Medialdea], 'Is it okay if we announce that the Miss Universe will be held in the Philippines?' and he said 'Yes,'" Teo said.
As per reports, the Tourism Department waited for an administrative order before making the announcement.
"The administrative order will be signed before the end of the month," Teo said.
Teo mentioned that she assured the President that the government will not shoulder any expenses, which will amount to $11 million.
The last time Philippines hosted the Miss Universe pageant was in the year 1974. Miss Universe 1973 Margarita Moran from Philippines passed on the crown to Amparo Muñoz from Spain. After Moran, Pia brought an end to the 42 years drought of the country by winning the Miss Universe 2015 title.