I CAN only imagine the kind of pressure then governor Gwen Garcia must have been under to make sure the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) would be finished on time for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and the 2nd East Asia Summit in 2006.
After all, it was only in December 2005 that then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo picked the province to host the international events.
Because of the short timetable, the structure’s design had to be modified so that it would be cheaper and easier to build. Work for the substructure didn’t start until April 2006, while construction for the superstructure, which was largely made up of structural steel, glass and aluminum cladding, only began three months after. In November, or four months later, the facility was finished.
The summits were later moved to January 2007 because of typhoon Seniang, which struck the province in December.
The CICC was officially inaugurated on Jan. 6. On Jan. 15, the facility opened its doors to welcome local officials and foreign dignitaries.
It was a proud moment for Cebu and for Garcia. She was given a task to accomplish and she did. Despite the time constraint. Despite the criticisms.
You know, I’ve always wanted to confront detractors of the project.
It was no easy feat. I hope they realize that. Had they been in her shoes, would they have been able to do what she did? I doubt it. The project probably would still be on the drawing board and Arroyo would have been forced to hold the summits in the capital or somewhere else.
I don’t know about you, but I have fond memories of the CICC while I was a Capitol consultant during Garcia’s second term.
I remember when works of internationally-renowned designers like the furniture of Kenneth Cobonpue were on display. When the towns showcased their delicacies and products at the fairs that were held there. I still have the silver crucifix that I bought from one of the stalls. I don’t remember which town it was. What mattered was it came from Cebu and that was good enough for me.
People here in the city were oblivious to what was happening in the countryside. Some of them even scoffed at the idea that their brothers and sisters outside the metro would have any reason to be proud of. But they did.
The One Cebu movement had managed to instill a sense of pride in our heritage and culture in the rural areas and I would have liked to think that the CICC was the pinnacle of that achievement.
Of course, everything changed when the Davide administration took over in 2013.
He and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale decided not to spend for the facility’s renovation. When it was badly damaged during the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda later that year, the Capitol decided to leave the CICC to the elements.
What had been a source of pride during Garcia’s time had become a source of scorn.
Last year, the Capitol sold the CICC to the Mandaue City Government for P300 million. The City initially announced it was converting the property in a resort complex, but Garcia said she heard the City had sold it to a private entity that was tearing the building “piece by piece for scrap metal.”
So I don’t blame Garcia for vowing to hold accountable those responsible for this desecration if she is elected governor.