Expo Filipino to become a science museum

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — Newly installed Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Angeles bared yesterday plans to convert the mothballed P3.2-billion Expo Filipino theme park here into a science and technology museum as well as an international trade center.

Angeles said that the National Development Corp. (NDC) and the Asiakonstruct, which own the 60-hectare Expo, have proposed a take over of the park by the CDC.

Facilities in the park, which was ordered shut down by former President Joseph Estrada in 1998, were reported to be deteriorating.

Angeles, appointed to the CDC by President Arroyo last February, assumed post over a week ago.

"What we have in mind is a science and technology museum where we can also have there a university of science and technology for masteral and doctorate degrees for people from all regions in the country," he explained.

He said he has rejected a proposal to convert the Expo into a casino village.

Angeles said that under the trade center concept, at least 100 corporations would put up permanent exhibits at the Expo. Each month would also be allotted for cultural presentations for each of the regions nationwide so as to attract students and tourists from all over the country.

"I expect some agreements on these projects to be ready for signing in time for the slated visit of the President to Pampanga on April 5," he added.

The Expo Filipino was initiated by the Ramos administration and was supposed to be the centerpiece for the centennial commemoration of Philippine Independence in 1998, but it was not completed on time amid controversies on its cost.

During the term of Estrada, charges of graft were filed against ex-President Ramos, officials of the Philippine National Centennial Commission, then headed by former Vice President Salvador Laurel, the NDC, and Asiakonstruct for alleged anomalies in the Expo construction.