Convention center design tilt get council nod
DEBATES on the contested Baguio Convention Center design contest are prolonging moves to refurbish the historic site.
Councilor Maylen Yaranon’s ordinance aims to spearhead a contest for the design of the convention center inched its way to approval for second reading as colleagues decided to side with her in the move to start plans to fix the dilapidated center.
The contest will be give prizes worth almost P2.5M with the city acquiring a comprehensive architectural design for the BCC.
Voting to catapult the Yaranon measure to second reading were councilors Leandro Yangot, Peter Fianza, Micheal Lawana, Art Allad iw, Elmer Datuin and Lilia Farinas.
“Am so happy, we initiated a brainstorming session and they gave their suggestions, the reason why we are all authors in this ordinance. The change of heart was because they finally understood the need for the rehab, and that the best option to have the best design that the city can afford is for a design competition,” Yaranon said.
Fianza said the project should be given a chance and when the design is with the city, deliberate on the funding needed for its commission.
Aldermen opposing the project fear the budget is too high for a contest and pointed out the lack of ready funding for the repairs in general, which will make the plans to be culled from the proposed contest, unusable.
Datuin who had earlier doubts on the project said there are pledges from different agencies and Congressman Mark Go for the convention center which will amount to P500 million.
Datuin said if all the pledges come in, the amount the city will shell out for the prizes for the design tilt will be a pittance compared to the importance it will do for the refurbishment of the BCC.
Vice Mayor Edison Bilog, opposing the move played devil’s advocate and presented the situation wherein the funds might be available and pledges don’t push through while councilor Faustino Olowan presented a 2012 feasibility study for the BCC done by local and international groups which has designs as well as studies.
“The feasibility study is from 2012, which proves the existing structure is so dilapidated and is a financial liability to the city. It justifies the need to rehabilitate the convention center to make it financially viable at par with International standards, instead of merely having expensive repairs. The FS also included the basic design concepts to prove that there is hope in the rehabilitation of the BCC,” Yaranon added.