SP probe widens on multi-million Capitol IT, convention center plan
Key players in the hotel and tourism industry here will gather tomorrow for the resumption of the investigation of the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP). Invited as resource persons, top officials of the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Iloilo Business Club (IBC) and hoteliers are expected by the SP body.
Convening as Committee of the Whole chaired by Third District Board Member Arthur Defensor Jr., focus of the probe is to ascertain the capability of the Provincial Government to embark on the multi-million construction and operation of a convention center and Information Technology park.
Board Member Defensor in an interview told The News Today (TNT) that Tourism Regional Director Edwin Trompeta has confirmed attendance. The DTI provincial office will also be represented alongside the city convention and visitor’s bureau and from the hotel industry, members of the Hotel and Restaurant Association.
Previous week’s probe focused on the basic terms and conditions of the planned P350 million loan that got into the limelight Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB). Two other government depository banks – Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) were also into the fray as questions were raised on the regularity of the PVB loan.
Other issues expected to be addressed is the reported plan to demolish historical infrastructure works particularly the old Provincial Jail, the regional office of the DOT and even the Museo Iloilo. Of late though talks have ended on the Museo Iloilo demolition with the matter considered a "non-issue." It was not immediately clear what will happen, if any, on the two other buildings within the Capitol premises.
Meantime, the Committee of the Whole widens its probe with recommendations to follow weeks after the last day of the hearing is conducted.