Convention rehab set for awarding

REHABILITATION of the Baguio Convention Center is set to be awarded to the winning bidder later this year.

“We are asking the mayor to make an administrative order to appoint a monitoring team composed of the Technical Working Group who made the plan,” Councilor Mylen Yaranon said.

Renovation and retrofitting of the master development plan of the convention center has been completed in time for the deadline given by the Department of Public Works and Highways for its bidding and awarding schedule.

The Development Plan had been directed by a 2012 feasibility study conducted by the city and guided by the collaboration between the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) and the private and public sectors.

Yaranon said the TWG monitoring team will be tasked to make sure that the plans are followed, and for transparency.

Based on the feasibility study’s recommendations, the plan for retrofitting and renovation aimed at finding the best balance between modernization, heritage/ historical conservation, and financial viability.

A technical working group composed of Baguio architects and engineers collaborated to formulate the direction and phasing of the convention center’s retrofitting and renovation plan.

Highlights of the retrofitting and renovation plan include retaining the historical and architectural significance and footprint of the site and structure, proposing for the maximum use of renewable energies, natural lighting, and ventilation in the building and site design, accounting for ecologically feasible and resilient building and site development, integrating pedestrianized areas, increasing parking areas through basement parking, and expanding the seating capacity for over 2000.

Work for the convention center will be divided into three phases.