5,000-seat convention center eyed in Capiz

By: Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Capiz province is planning to put up a 5,000-seat convention center.

The Committee on Appropriations of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) conducted a committee hearing to discuss the proposal of Gov. Esteban Evan Nonoy Contreras to put up the Capiz Convention and Exhibition Center (CCEC).

The committee also tackled the request of the governor for the approval of the deed of donation between the donor Ong family and the provincial government.

Present in the hearing was Jose Neri “Bubbles” Ong of Pueblo de Panay.

The proposed location is a two-hectare lot while the budget for the project is close to P1 billion which will be requested from the national government.

The provincial government will provide counterpart funding to realize the convention center which is seen to be bigger than the Iloilo Convention Center.

The proposed convention center was designed by the United Architecture of the Philippines-Capiz Chapter.

Meanwhile, Capiz First District Board Member Jonathan Sonny Besa stressed that the provincial board is not opposing the proposed project of the governor.

He said that the provincial board has found a solution to tap the Department of Tourism (DOT) for the possible funding of the project.

It also suggested a Usufruct Agreement regarding the lot donation from the Ong family.

The governor earlier has said that some senators are willing to fund the convention center.

But Besa said it remains unclear who among the senators will help realize the project. He also urged the governor to avoid rushing the provincial board into approving the project as they want to ensure that there is available budget.