MCCI president Eric, Mendoza endorses 'Megadome' project

The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (MCCI) expressed strong support for the construction of the Cebu International Convention Center or the Megadome in Mandaue City.

MCCI president of Eric N. Mendoza gave this statement of support during the recent 44th Regular Session of the Provincial Legislators of Cebu.

Mendoza said that the convention center will give a positive signal to the rest of the world that our place is ready to host any international event, particularly the approaching ASEAN Summit in December.

"Mandaue City is the best site of the CICC. The establishment of the facility in the City would greatly help the international promotion of Mandaue, not only for investors, but also for tourists," Mendoza said.

He said the Megadome, which will be built on a 4.3-hectare lot at the reclamation area in the highly industrialized city of Mandaue, is indeed a strategic location for several reasons.

One reason is its proximity to the Mactan Cebu International Airport and the international seaport and the city's accessibility to the general public with the availability of public transportation.

Also, Mandaue City's proximity to other business establishments as well as to hotels and considering that Mandaue is known as the Industrial Metropolis of the South.

"The proximity of Mandaue City to other tourists' destinations such as the Fort San Pedro among others is also very advantageous," he added

The "mega" convention center is expected to boost employment not only in the province of Cebu but also in neighboring provinces.

Furthermore, Mendoza pointed out that the MCCI also hopes that with the existence of the Megadome, the Province of Cebu will gain prominence as a primary destination for conventions, trade shows, and events that will generate significant economic benefits.

Also, the CICC will be a venue for the promotion of local business activities, community-based organizations, and regional events, which attract investors and serve local residents.

Although, the project is hastily pursued due to the upcoming ASEAN Summit on December and some regarded it as another political showcase, Gregorio said whatever it is that gives negative color to the project. What is important is Cebu can have another world-class facility that can be proud of.

Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano gave up the 13,000-square-meter lot in the Mandaue Reclamation Area, which he promised to give to the Cebu International Trade and Exhibition Center (Citec), in favor of the Megadome project.

The Citec project, which is a private sector led initiative, is supposed to be a 4,000 square-meter international exhibition center, which will serve the trade and exhibition needs of Visayas and Mindanao. It is a long-standing dream of the Cebu business community, proposed in 1995.