CICC dropped from list of Apec venues in Cebu

CICC File Photo (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

The Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) was scratched off the list of possible venues for some of the activities of the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit in Cebu City.

Summit organizers who visited Cebu City weeks ago made the decision, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said.

He said this made him and other provincial officials reconsider plans of rehabilitating the building which was heavily damaged in last year’s earthquake.

“Due to the cost of the repair and the probability that we can receive income from that, it might not be a good move,” Davide said. “Alkansi ta (We are at a disadvantage). And besides if we fix it now, we probably cannot fix it in time for the event. We’ll spend P70 million then it will be rushed. So repairing the CICC is already out of the question,” he added.

Centerpiece

Badly-damaged by the October 15 earthquake and supertyphoon Yolanda in November last year, the building is a centerpiece project of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s administration.

The CICC was built on land owned by the Mandaue City government.
More than P160 million is needed to fund the renovation of the facility to meet international standards.

Summit organizers are looking at Cebu’s hotels to instead host the meetings, Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said. She said the province is still capable of hosting the summit since its activities.

“We still joined the bid because we have big hotels and restaurants that can accommodate the delegates. What they’re looking at is Shangri-la, Waterfront, Marco Polo and Radisson,” she said.
About 17 high-end suites are required to accommodate the 17 heads of state and their delegations who are expected to take part in the summit.

Advance teams of the participating nations will arrive in Cebu by December. Davide said the Cebu provincial government will study the Mandaue City government’s offer to acquire the CICC.

For his part, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he wants to meet Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson when he visits Cebu.

“I want to ask for a list of their projects in Cebu City. I also want to show him our preparations for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings and the International Eucharistic Congress,” he said. /With Jose Santino S. Bunachita