DPWH allocates P70M for Batac Cultural Center

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 2^nd 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 (2^nd 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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