DPWH snubs convention center hearing

BAGUIO Councilor Mylen Yaranon led the public hearing on the Baguio Convention Center (BCC) despite the snub from the Department of Public Works and Highways.

During the scheduled hearing, only representatives from the City Buildings and Architecture Office, United Architects of the Philippines, and engineer Bonifacio Dela Peña were present to discuss the

DPWH revised plans for the rehabilitation of the BCC.

An impasse has been seen in the rehabilitation of the BCC which pit two plans made by the city led technical working group and by the DPWH.

After the hearing, Yaranon said a resolution has been agreed requesting the DPWH to follow the approved and bided out plans made by the city which includes Dela Peña.

The lady councilor is standing by her claims that if the DPWH finds the city made and approved plans to be flawed, it should be properly pointed out and explained.

At present, the DPWH is implementing their plans for the BCC, saying plans made by the TWG is flawed and cannot be structurally feasible for the space.

DPWH regional director Tiborcio Canlas is standing by plans made by the department for the BCC rehabilitation saying work will proceed as planned but will not be finished by next month as originally targeted.

Canlas said the mezzanine floor pushed by the city cannot be accommodated as the BCC structure cannot support the planned addition of another floor likewise nixing the need for an elevator and escalator.

Canlas added the seating capacity of the BCC has been increased and will be able to accommodate at least 1,300 with the DPWH plans.

The DPWH official likewise pointed to damage wrought by treasure hunter Eliseo Cabusao to the BCC and said no communication has been made by the treasure hunter since an initial meeting months ago.

City Representative Mark Go meanwhile said the impasse between the city and the DPWH must be addressed for the good of the BCC and said he is willing to mediate if asked to intercede.

Funding from the DWPH was facilitated from the office of the congressman and was one among those who pushed for the rehab of the BCC.

Yaranon said the intersession of the congressman need not be asked for but is crucial at this point.