MADAME IMELDA TO BUILD CCP-LIKE BLDG

BATAC CITY, Ilocos Norte, July 2–A modern cultural center edifice similar to the existing Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila will rise at the government center complex in this city as the newest favorite project of former First Lady now Rep. Imelda Romualdez Marcos (2nd district, Ilocos Norte).
To formally launch this undertaking, Madame Imelda personally led the ground breaking ceremony for the Batac Cultural Center project held at the site which coincided with the celebration of her 86th birth anniversary today, July 2.

Among those present at the ground breaking rites include Mrs. Marcos’ children Senator Bongbong Marcos, Gov. Imee Marcos, Irene Marcos, her grandchildren, Vice Gov. Angelo Marcos Barba and provincial officials, city officials of Batac headed by Mayor Jeffrey Nalupta and Vice Mayor Ronald Allan Nalupta.

It’s a dream come true, said Mrs. Marcos who conceptualized the Batac Cultural Center long before she became congresswoman of the province’s second district.

It may be noted that she built the now famous Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila when she was the country’s First Lady during the administration of her husband, the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

The Batac project, which also be a multi-purpose structure, it was learned, will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways 2nd engineering district whose main office is based at the nearby town of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte.

DPWH district engineer Mathias Malenab told reporters that the project will occupy a total area of 4,000 square meters at the sprawling lot of the present city government center along the national highway.

It will be a two-story building that will house a high tech-equipped theater of 4,000-plus seating capacity that can host a city, provincial, regional and even national event of any major kind, he said.(tsg w/ fa, ej, ga, da reports)