Drilon helps CCP get new equipment

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) finally received the new lighting and sound equipment donated by the Japanese government through the Japan Information and Cultural Center (JICC) after Senate president Franklin Drilon interceded for the equipment’s release from the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

The equipment arrived last Feb. 14, but was held at Customs pending payment of around P4 million in taxes and duties.

CCP officials said they had filed a request for tax exemption on the donated equipment with the Department of Finance (DOF).

The equipment, given under a cultural aid grant by the Japanese government, was requested by CCP over four years ago to upgrade the touring equipment for its outreach programs in the regions.

Some of the equipment, however, is needed at the CCP Main Theater for the cultural night presentation of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) on April 6 involving over 200 Filipino artists.

Drilon learned of the CCP’s predicament during meetings over the past weeks on preparations for the 112th IPU assembly to be held at the CCP and nearby Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on April 3 to 8.

The equipment is valued at ¥50 million, or around P27.5 million.

With Manila hosting the IPU, a wide-scale rehabilitation of the CCP, PICC, roads around the two structures and landscaping of surrounding areas have been undertaken, mostly through the efforts of the Senate.

Drilon said that P10 million from his pork barrel funds was used for the improvements of the PICC, including the marble façade and comfort rooms.

Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan, on the other hand provided P5 million of his pork barrel allocation for the repair of the air-conditioning system.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for its part undertook the improvements of the PICC, which it owns.

Drilon defended the expenses for the IPU as he noted that more than 1,500 delegates are paying their own way to Manila, satying one week in the hotels and spending time in the country’s tourist spots.

"Just the direct expense that they will make in the hotel rooms, food, and shopping and in the tourist destinations, in addition to the publicity that our country will be able to generate out of this is worth the expense," Drilon said.

He added that the CCP badly needed repairs and the roads around the area were dilapidated and had to be rehabilitated.