The Mandaue City government wants to buy the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) from the provincial Capitol and use it into an exhibit center for local products, said Mandaue City Vice Mayor-elect Carlo Fortuna.
He added they would also provide a space inside the CICC for the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).
During the 888 News Forum on Tuesday, Fortuna said there had been informal discussion among Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide, outgoing Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, Mandaue City-elect Luigi Quisumbing, and Fortuna – all members of the Liberal Party (LP) – on the sale of CICC to Mandaue City government.
With a P2.7 billion in annual budget for 2016, Fortuna said they will be able to buy the property without acquiring a loan.
Based on earlier negotiations between the two parties, the city government planned to buy the structure at a price of about P200 million.
The structure stands on a lot owned by the Mandaue city government at the Mandaue reclamation area.
The CICC was built during the term of former governor and now 3rd District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia at a cost of about P800 million to serve as venue for the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in 2007.