P50-M boost for Guimaras Convention Center

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The island province of Guimaras is set to begin construction on its convention center this year, bolstered by an additional P50 million in funding.

Senator Lito Lapid, chair of the Committee on Games and Amusement, committed the additional funds to the construction of the 400-seater convention center.

“(Congresswoman Ma. Lucille L. Nava) and (Governor JC Rahman A. Nava) requested a covered gym and an additional P50 million for the ongoing project at the back, and we will provide that. Of course, I will not neglect Guimaras,” Lapid said in an interview.

Lapid visited Guimaras on Tuesday, May 14, to attend the second day of the People’s Fest, a part of the ongoing Manggahan Festival 2024. He was accompanied by his son, Mark Lapid, the general manager of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

“The senator asked us what the province needed. They learned that the construction of the gym along with the convention center would begin this year. Upon hearing this, they did not hesitate and committed to providing an additional P50 million,” Governor Nava said.

Lapid also extended P1 million in assistance to each town in the province, which will be administered through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

On March 19, the Western Visayas Regional Development Council held its first-quarter meeting at Andana Resort, Poblacion, Nueva Valencia in Guimaras.

With Guimaras hosting the event, Nava said it has strengthened their resolve to proceed with the Guimaras Convention Center.

“The challenge of hosting this RDC meeting initially met with some reservations due to our Provincial Capitol being under construction. However, it solidified our determination to move forward with the Guimaras Convention Center, which is set to start construction this year,” he said.