[ Manila Bulletin Online ] October 27, 2008
ANTIPOLO CITY — In pursuance of the long-term vision of Mayor Victor Sumulong to make Antipolo a tourism hub, a multi-level parking complex (MLPC) costing P290 million will be constructed on a lot located at the corner of M.L. Quezon Ave. and P. Oliveros St. in Barangay Dela Paz, this city.
The lot is owned by the city government.
"Malapit na itong simulan, at isa-isa na nating ginigiba ang mga apektadong spaces gaya ng Sumulong Park, Antipolo auditorium at iyong Fire Department (this project will start soon, and we are now clearing the affected spaces like those occupied by the Sumulong Park, Antipolo auditorium and Fire Department),’’ Mayor Sumulong said.
The MLPC project, as proposed by Mayor Sumulong and approved by the sangguniang panlungsod through passage of Resolution No. 2008-177, will be implemented on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) agreement that provides for a 25-year lease.
"Iyong construction ng five-storey multi-purpose parking ay build-operate-and-transfer scheme, kaya walang gagastusin ang City Hall. Ang usapan at ang lahat ng kikitain mula sa parking spaces up to rentals ng bawat shops na aming itatao diyan ay sa investor muna mapupunta iyan up to the time na ma-recover na nila ang investment nila (It will be a build-operate-and-transfer project. The earnings from the parking spaces will go the investors until they have recovered the cost of the project),’’ the mayor said.
The MLPC project will not only solve the parking problem in the city, especially during the pilgrimage month, Holy Week, fiestas, and Sundays.
It will also yield socio-economic benefits as it will generate employment, and income for the small and medium enterprises and the city as well, the mayor said.
The building can accommodate up to 250 parking slots, and will have a main lobby on the ground flood, an auditorium-amphitheater with a seating capacity of 500, spaces for rent and a plaza.
"Kasama pa rin diyan ang magkakaroon ng isang amphitheater upang doon makita at mapanood ang ibang mga bagay tungkol sa ating bayan. Para iyong mga bisita natin at kahit na mga taga-Antipolo ay doon nila makikita o mapapanood ang mga bagay bagay tungkol sa ating syudad (An amphitheater which will accommodate displays about the city will also be built. Visitors and Antipolo citizens alike will learn important things about the city from the displays),’’ Sumulong said. (Reuel Vidal)
Because one of the flagship projects of the city government is focused on tourism, a film showing room and a tourism office will be located on the third floor.
"And since ang thrust natin ang tourism at parte ito ng ating vision-mission na gawing Pilgrimage City ang Antipolo ay diyan na rin ilalagay ang Tourism Office (Since our thrust is to push tourism in the city and promote Antipolo as the Pilgrimage City of the Philippines, the Tourism Office will also be located there),’’ the mayor said.
The City Planning and Development Office headed by Engineer Rene Matienzo was tasked to prepare the initial plans and programs.
