BAGUIO CITY — To preserve the historic city-owned Baguio Convention Center (BCC), the local government here has announced the opening of submission of bid for the reconstruction and repair of the facility that served as venue of the 1978 world chess championship between Russian chess masters Anatoly Karpov and Victor Korchnoi.
According to Engr. Nazita Bañez, City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO ) head, they have already submitted a completed plan for the repair and rehabilitation of the convention center to the Department of Public Works and Highways Cordillera office last November 22. The first phase of the plan is worth PHP180 million.
Bañez explained that the plan includes a buffer for additional works to suit the actual field conditions which were unseen during the planning period.
Earlier, the DPWH urged the city government to immediately complete and submit their plan and design for the convention center and be able to utilize the fund allotted by the department for its rehabilitation, otherwise see the fund reverting back to the general fund of the department for being unutilized.
Bañez said both the aesthetic and structural designs of BCC were consolidated ideas from the city government, the DPWH and engineers and architects from the private sector.
She said that they wanted to preserve the exterior design, but the plan and concept of the interior was modified to increase the sitting capacity from 1,500 to 2,200.
They also added a balcony and a basement for parking spaces, converted the existing cistern and added amenities as well, she said.
The surroundings of the convention center building presently used as parking space will be maintained for the same purpose. Pamela Mariz Geminiano/PNA-northboundasia.com