Baguio City Government Rehabilitates Prime City-Owned Property

The once iconic Baguio Convention Center is now finally being rehabilitated as the City Government of Baguio was able to recover the prime property after paying the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) the balance of the P250 million debt it owes to the government corporation. Payments were sourced from the lease rentals of Camp John Hay Special Economic Zone, with additional P180 million assistance from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Long been an eyesore to both tourists and locals alike, the rehabilitated facility will be able to cater to more conventions and conferences. Currently, the City Tourism Office facilitates bookings of small to medium-sized conventions in available small spaces like Baranggay Covered Courts and Public Parks, and expensive private ones for bigger events. Thus, with the planned rehabilitation completed, the city will be able to cater to more revenue-generating gatherings at competitive prices.

However, the ongoing rehabilitation is not without challenges as City Councilor Mylen Yaranon pointed out some lapses in faithfully rehabilitating the facility in keeping to both heritage preservation and modernization. Yaranon pointed out DPWH's unilateral decision in removing the mezzanine floor, elevators, and escalators, as indicated in the original plan. Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan has been informed of the impasse and the mattered tackled in a meeting with the City Council.*