ILOILO CITY, Philippines – President Aquino will lead the inauguration of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) on Sept. 14.
The P700-million project is expected to put not only this city but the entire Western Visayas on the business tourism map, according to former tourism secretary and now Iloilo Economic Development Foundation president Narzalina Lim.
Senate President Franklin Drilon said the ICC is ready to host at least three ministerial meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
The senior disaster management officials forum is set on Sept. 22 and 23. The ministerial meeting on small and medium enterprises is from Sept. 21 to 25 and the ministerial meeting on food security and blue economy is from Sept. 28 to Oct. 6.
The convention center is 100 percent operational and completed, Edilberto Tayao, Department of Public Works and Highways regional director, said on Wednesday.
Tayao said only site development works, including the construction of a perimeter fence, fountain, pylon signage, flagpole and parking area are ongoing “to make it more presentable.”
“The construction works are in full blast. The contractor has tripled the manpower requirement doing 24/7 activity,” he said.
Sitting on a 1.7-hectare lot, the ICC was constructed based on a design inspired by Iloilo’s Dinagyang and Paraw festivals. It can accommodate up to 3,000 guests.
The project’s Phase 1, which covers the building structure, had an appropriation of P500 million while Phase 2, or the finishing works, has a budget of P200 million.
The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the infrastructure arm of the Department of Tourism, owns the ICC.