ILOILO – The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) proposed building a 10,000-seat convention center in Iloilo province.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. welcomed the plan of TIEZA general manager Mark Lapid to establish another convention center outside the city.
This was after Lapid’s visit to attend the Dinagyang Festival 2024, wherein he noticed that the existing Iloilo Convention Center in Mandurriao district would be insufficient for hosting an international event.
“Definitely, we all need something like that. Isa ka venue for sports, a venue that can also be a convention center, pirme booked ang aton convention center. We have one, but we need another, so that is a possibility,” said Defensor.
The governor said it is a need as the city and province have been destinations for many meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) events, with Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan not far away.
According to Defensor, the provincial government, as early as now, will look for an ideal site for the proposed project.
Among the factors particularly being considered is parking. There should also be available space for expansion because once the 10,000-seat convention center rises in an area, commerce will also follow.
“When you create something like that, it becomes a growth area; commerce around it will surely develop, and preferably, lapit sia sa tunga sang probinsya so that it is accessible sa southern and northern parts of the province,” he added./PN
