Capitol sends men to secure CICC

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Hilario Davide III might have vowed not to spend a single centavo on the Cebu International Convention Center, but after it was reportedly burglarized recently, the Capitol has decided to deploy its men to secure the structure.

Capitol security Chief Loy Anthony Madrigal, in an interview with Provincial Public Information Office, said there are five security men who are now posted at the CICC on top of the eight job order employees set there earlier.

Madrigal said he is also expecting additional men from Mandaue City’s Special Weapons and Tactics to help in securing CICC.

After it was hit by last year’s earthquake and super typhoon, the P800-million Capitol-owned building, which used to hold big events including the 2007 ASEAN Summit, has become a huge stockroom for donated goods.

Last June, the area was reportedly ransacked by individuals who allegedly carted away boxes of relief goods stored by a non-government organization.

The Capitol has opened the facility for sale or private-public partnership after it sustained damage from the two major calamities.

In his earlier statements, Davide said the province will no longer shell out funds for its repair or upkeep as it is no longer earning, and that even if it does, it still is not enough to pay for its maintenance and security.

After the Philippine Exhibitors Trade Corp., which managed the CICC since the time of former governor Gwen Garcia, had turned over the property to the province early this year, it is now left at the hands of the Capitol.

Davide said the province will no longer benefit from it, hence he opened it for sale.

So far, there are groups which showed interest to buy or lease it, one of them being Mandaue City.

As of last month, the province and Mandaue have not yet agreed on the amount as the latter’s bid was just one-third of Capitol’s P600-million assessed value of the property.

Davide suggested that the Commission on Audit and other independent assessors be involved in the assessment of CICC’s value.  (FREEMAN)