Convention Center plans to be reviewed
BAGUIO City Mayor Mauricio Domogan is asking for a face off of plans presented by the city Technical Working Group (TWG) and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Domogan said the DPWH must be able to justify revised plans made by their team as opposed to already approved and studied plans made by the 9member TWG created by the city.
The chief executive said if the plans of the TWG are proven to be indeed flawed and not feasible, the city will honor the revised DPWH plans to apply for the rehabilitation of the BCC but if TWG plans are proven to be sound, original work must proceed.
Domogan backed
calls to retain the mezzanine floor proposed by the TWG but taken out by the DPWH as well as escalators and elevator provisions included to make the area easier to access for senior citizens as well as Persons with Disabilities [PWD].
DWPH experts tagged the city plans to be non-sustainable due to technical flaws which the present convention center stricture cannot support, earning the ire of the CBAO as well as aldermen who is backing the city led TWG.
A meeting with the TWG and the DPWH has ensued this this to possibly solve the impasse the opposing plans created as well as to calm sentiments when work at the BCC started without approval from the city.
An impasse was seen when the DPWH had Domogan sign revised plans without consulting the TWG then proceeding to work on the BCC, alerting aldermen and bringing the matter to the attention of the city council.
The squabbles has been ongoing for weeks now, bringing work at the BCC to a slowdown with major facets of the rehab asked to be put on hold to give time for the DPWH and the city to resolve which plans to use.
The convention center has now been subjected to a long delayed rehabilitation plan with initial funding given to be implemented by the DPWH through a bidding which saw David Sanchez to lead the first phase of the repair and rehabilitation plan.
Sanchez faced the City Council last week and said it is the DPWH which will direct him and his team to what is needed for the BCC as per agreements made saying no stop order nor revisions has been relayed to him to date.
Sanchez likewise aired his fears on possible damage a failed treasure hunt has brought the BCC saying holes have been found at the base of the center with its damage still undetermined.
Another P50 million has been earmarked for next year for the BCC repairs to continue in the hope the space will become of world class quality, retaining its original architecture and Cordilleran design.