Groundbreaking of Iloilo convention center held

ILOILO – Senator Franklin Drilon graced the groundbreaking of the P700-million worth Iloilo Convention Center and bared other projects for the province on Friday.

The groundbreaking rites of the convention center was held at the Megaworld property in Mandurriao district.

The convention center, which is being constructed by Hilmarcs Const. Inc., is eyed to be completed six months before the Asia Pacific Economic Council (Apec) conference in Iloilo City in October 2015.

Hilmarcs chairman Efren Canlas said he is committed to finish the construction of the building from January 2014 to February 2015 to allow enough time for a private contractor to add the other needed equipment and facilities and to manage the whole convention center.

Drilon, during the groundbreaking rites, also revealed other projects for the city, including the ports of Iloilo City and Dumangas.

Drilon said a long term master plan is eyed for the Iloilo City Port and Dumangas Port after the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) already committed some P180 million for the upgrading of the Dumangas Port considered as a possible transfer venue for the proposed expansion of the Port of Iloilo.

The masterplan will cover a feasibility study to program the development of both Iloilo and Dumangas ports, he added.