By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
San
Nicolas, Ilocos Norte—The Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has allocated P70 million for the construction
of the Batac Cultural Center (BCC) for this year.
This was announced by DPWH 2nd
engineering district officer Mathias Malenab.
Mr. Malenab explained that an
earlier P24.5 million allocation was not used last year for the said project
because the plans were still being reviewed by the DPWH central office.
He expressed hopes that the
earlier allocated amount would be added to the new allocation for the project.
Upon approval of the program
of works, the DPWH will immediately conduct a bidding for interested
contractors.
Mr. Malenab added that the
P70 million would most likely go to structural works or the foundations of the
building.
In the previous years, soil
testing and excavations were conducted on the project area but this were
temporarily stopped after the Supreme Court ruled that the Priority Development
and Assistance Fund (PDAF) was unconstitutional.
Meanwhile, Batac Mayor
Jeffrey Jubal C. Nalupta thanked the DPWH for the allocation as he stressed
that the BCC is one of the “dream projects” of Rep. Imelda R. Marcos (2nd
district, Ilocos Norte).
He added that the former
First Lady wants the BCC to be similar to the Cultural Center of the
Philippines in Manila, one of her projects during her husband former Pres.
Ferdinand Emmanuel E. Marcos Sr.’s 20-year reign.
Ms. Marcos earlier said that
she chose Batac for the cultural center project because the city is rich in
culture and arts as well as a center of education.
She added that she wants
Ilocos Norte to become one of the centers of culture and the arts in the
country.
With the allocation, Mr.
Nalupta is hopeful the project would now be continued.
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