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Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Capitol to work with approved CICC fund
The Cebu Provincial Government will work within the P250-million budget already appropriated for the Cebu International Convention Center.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia approved in principle the modified concept for the structure in a meeting with Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr. and other engineers yesterday.
Garcia will also create a task force to oversee the legal and technical aspects of the undertaking.
The original design was for a multi-use building, but the Capitol will focus on building a convention center that can be expanded later for other uses.
Aside from time constraints, working within the budget will also place officials “in control” of the execution of the project, Garcia said. “We don’t have the luxury of time to convince private entities to spend for it.”
Busy year
Preparations for the Asean summit and other projects such as the upgrading of district hospitals will keep Garcia busy for the year, and she said this will take her mind away from the next elections.
However, she also said yesterday that she will “never discriminate against any gender” and is “ready to face anybody” when the elections come.
Garcia said this after reports that the local opposition will field Rep. Clavel Martinez (Cebu, fourth district) against her in the gubernatorial race, in case the move to create new Cebu provinces doesn’t push through.
As for the convention center, formerly called the megadome, construction will start this February, and the Capitol targets November as its completion date.
Architect Alexus Medalla, whose spinning-disc design won in a contest in 2003, attended yesterday’s meeting, along with Engr. Apollo Enriquez, newly hired Capitol consultant for infrastructure and development and foundation specialist.
The Capitol is also tapping the services of Engr. Adonis Compendio, a construction management expert.
The governor said the new law on government procurement will give the Capitol the capacity to fast track the processes.
Whatever procedural aspects they would need to discuss with Malacañang will be tackled tomorrow, she said, when President Arroyo visits Cebu.
The construction of the building that can accommodate international events was conceptualized during the previous term yet, but got stalled by a political tug-of-war. (JPM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 22, 2006 issue)
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