The move towards the Golden Age of Infrastructure has become more attainable as construction for more big-ticket projects are done.
In a recent virtual inauguration, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) turned over the newly-completed Main Building of the Cagayan de Oro (CDO) Convention Center to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.
Initially funded in the year 2000, the works for the CDO Convention Center was put on halt due to land ownership questions and was resolved sixteen (16) years after through donation of the land where the building is situated. The construction for the project was done under the exemplary guidance of DPWH Regional Office 10.
According to DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar, the department envisioned the facility to be globally competitive through its comprehensive site development plan since the CDO Convention Center is a part of the big-ticket projects in the country under the flagship of the Build, Build, Build Program.
“The main facility of the CDO Convention Center is now complete and is ready to house about 7,700 spectators for various events like sports, concerts, conventions, exhibits, seminars, conferences and trade shows,” DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar stated.
The construction of the P207-million project includes the replacement of various fixtures that were dilapidated and beyond economical repair. The interior and exterior design concept of the building complex were upgraded through the guidance of international standards. Additional amenities and support facilities were also considered with the ongoing funding requests for its car park building, power house, sewage treatment plant facility, pump house, materials recovery facility, restaurant, pavilion, administrative building and TIEZA office building that would sum up to 1.3 billion pesos. Provision of access roads is also proposed for funding amounting to Php 359.5 Million.
The main building was completed in the first quarter of 2021 and has undergone a test run of its mechanical and electronic work items, which needed fine tuning to achieve the desired level of performance and effectiveness. However, due to the travel restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, out-of-town technicians encountered a delay. Until finally, the inauguration was set in September 2021 as both agreed by DPWH as the implementing office and TIEZA as the end-user of the facility.
“I hope that the legacy of accelerating public infrastructure projects will continue for many years and a better life with better connectivity will live on for age,” said Secretary Villar.