Luigi’s promise: We will transform CICC

REACTING to Rep. Gwen Garcia’s (Cebu, 3rd) criticism of the sale of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), Mandaue City Mayor Luis Gabriel “Luigi” Quisumbing said their plans for the facility will make it “an economic power house” soon.

Quisumbing said the Mandaue City Government has already entered into a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contract for the construction of an entertainment complex and a convention center.

The mayor clarified that the P300 million that the City paid to the Provincial Government was only for the building, which was heavily damaged by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and the super typhoon in 2013. The calamities rendered the CICC unfit for occupancy.

As its counterpart in the PPP, the City will allow the private developer to use its land where the CICC stands.

Quisumbing said the project will boost the city’s economy.

“We are working for the underground cabling (of all utilities like power, water and communication) around the area so the skies will be uninterrupted. The place will really become an exciting destination in Cebu,” he said during the Mega Cebu Klarohay Ta! Candidates’ Forum at the University of San Carlos Main campus on Monday, April 8.

Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna said the development plan includes a US$300-million investment that will change Mandaue City’s landscape to become an “infinite city.”

“We feel that this PPP project is better for the city because while it is supposed to be a joint venture, we will not spend anything for it,” he said.

In the candidates’ forum last week, Garcia vowed to hold accountable those who abandoned and sold the CICC, saying what was once “our source of pride is now in a dilapidated state and then sold to the Mandaue City Government for P300 million, a loss to the Province of Cebu.”

Organizers of the forum said Quisumbing’s rival, Rep. Jonas Cortes (6th), and his partymates were scheduled to join a separate forum at 1:30 p.m. but the group canceled at the last minute. /