‘Megaworld may take ICC property back if…’ November 22, 2014 By FREDA MAE SORSANO ILOILO City — The property that Megaworld Corp. donated for the Iloilo Convention Center must be used exclusively for the structure, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways Region 6. If the convention center will not be completed, the property developer may take the lot back, said Regional Director Edilberto Tayao. Megaworld donated a 1,700-square meter area in its 54-hectare Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao district for the convention center. “Baka kapag hindi matuloy, medyo mag-iisip din sila (Megaworld). Hindi malayong bawiin ’yong lupa,” said Tayao. The Public Works official, however, believes the government will make sure that the convention center will see completion. “Of course, the government will not let that happen. It’s almost done. Sayang naman,” he said. The project’s first phase, which includes the construction of the main building, is almost complete, while its second phase is facing delay. Tayao said the bidding for Phase 2 on Oct. 20 failed because the two participating contractors submitted bids higher than the P187-million approved budget for the contract. Companies hesitate to bid at less than P200 million, he said. Large-scale contractors, including those who bid for the first phase, did not join the Phase 2 bidding, said Tayao. If the next bidding this December becomes successful, he said, the convention center may be completed by May next year — two months later than the original expected date of completion. The Iloilo Convention Center is facing a Senate investigation for being allegedly overpriced. Tayao remains confident that the structure will be ready in time for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meetings next year. The 3,700-seater convention center is expected to house delegates for two APEC meetings in September and October next year.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 23:14:11 +0000
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