30 lawmakers support ICC project

MANILA, Philippines - At least 30 members of the House of Representatives belonging to the Visayas bloc expressed their support yesterday for the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) project.

“The Iloilo Convention Center is a major national project currently being constructed to serve as a main venue for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meetings next year,” the group said in a manifesto.

“The Visayan bloc fully supports Iloilo City as one of the venues of the APEC ministerial meetings as identified by the national government. Its selection came after much meticulous assessment and evaluation by the national government and concerned agencies,” the group led by Representatives Alfredo Benitez of Negros Occidental and Jerry Treñas of Iloilo City added.

The Visayas congressmen said the completion of ICC would benefit their districts.

“We are united in our support of national projects that are aimed to boost the economy and deliver progress to the people,” they said.

They expressed concern that the “politically motivated criticism” on the project could prompt APEC to cancel its planned meetings in Iloilo.

“Political disputes should not overshadow legitimate government projects and that true transparency and accountability could be achieved outside of sensationalized politically motivated attacks,” the congressmen added. 

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee conducted a hearing on the alleged overpricing of the convention center. However, the accuser, former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada said his overpricing claim is based on news reports and Wikipedia.

Former Iloilo congressman Augusto Syjuco wants to face the Senate to prove the accusations against Senate President Franklin Drilon, who has denied wrongdoing.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, whose department is building the convention center, and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, whose agency owns the structure, said there was no overpricing.