President Benigno S. Aquino III inaugurated the state-of-the-art Iloilo Convention Center at the Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao District last September 14, 2015.
The construction of the Iloilo Convention Center was made a reality thru the effort of the Ilonggo Senator, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, who envisioned Iloilo to be one of the competitive cities in the country, in terms of economy and infrastructure development.
The construction of the P713.31-Million Iloilo Convention Center, funded under the DPWH-DOT Convergence Program, was implemented by the DPWH, Region 6 under the direct and close supervision of Regional Director Edilberto Tayao and Assistant Regional Director Lea Delfinado.
In his speech at the inauguration program attended by DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson, DILG Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Iloilo Governor Arthur D. Defensor, Sr., Iloilo Lone Congressional District Representative Jerry P. Treñas and Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog , President Aquino was impressed by the world-class Iloilo Convention Center.
“Narito nga po tayo sa estrukturang patunay sa positibong bunga ng matuwid na pamamahala—ang Iloilo Convention Center. Tunay po itong maipagmamalaki ng mga Ilonggo. Bukod sa disenyo nitong hango sa inyong Dinagyang at Paraw Festival, kahanga-hanga din ang world-class nitong kalidad. Kaya naman doble ang ating pagsisikap upang di-magtagal, ay makilala at maipagmalaki din ito sa buong Pilipinas,” he said.
“This project will serve as a launch pad for Iloilo’s further development into a center for commerce and tourism in Western Visayas. This will give more opportunities to our compatriots here. We can now see the transformation of Iloilo from a laidback province, it’s now booming and is getting ready to compete with other developing provinces like Cebu,” he added.
Built on a 1.7-hectare land donated by Dr. Andrew Tan of the Megaworld Corporation, ICC is envisioned to be an iconic landmark in Iloilo City and Western Visayas, with its design inspired by its famous annual festivals – the Dinagyang Festival, which is celebrated in January; and Paraw Regatta, in March.
The ICC, which was designed by Architect William Coscuella and Associates, has seven function rooms and can accommodate some 3,700 people. It is managed by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), a corporate body attached to the Department of Tourism.
The center, which is eyed as a new site for local and international-level MICE (Meetin