Capitol junks plan to sell CICC

UNITED States President Barack Obama may have saved the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

Acting Cebu Gov. Agnes Magpale dropped the plan to sell the CICC after learning that Cebu has been considered as venue for some activities related to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders’ summit in 2015.

The Apec is an economic cooperation forum involving 21 countries in the Pacific Rim, including the United States.

Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board 7 Director Ahmed Cuizon said Unites
States President Barack Obama will attend the summit.

He said Cebu will most likely host meetings of ministers and senior officials. State leaders might also come to Cebu, he added.

Magpale said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) promised to help the Provincial Government repair the CICC.

She said the plan to repair CICC has been submitted to the DPWH 7 and will cost P66 million.

“(It’s) really to make it world class,” she added.

The plan will be forwarded to the DPWH central office in Manila.

Magpale considered selling the CICC as it incurred millions of pesos in losses—the facility was not earning enough to sustain its operation.

“We will just bear the high cost of electricity. I will be meeting with the board regularly,” Magpale said.

Cuizon said the Department of Transportation and Communications asked him if Cebu could provide 90 luxury cars to be used during the summit.

He said he proposed that the vehicles be shipped to Cebu from Manila.

But Magpale raised another issue.

“Will there be a third bridge by that time?” she asked during the Mactan Cebu Bridge Management Board meeting yesterday.