TACLOBAN CITY – House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez led the groundbreaking of the Benjamin Romualdez International Convention Center (BRICC) on Friday (February 7).
“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony is a special moment. This is not only a reflection of the rich culture of Leyte, it is also our comeback from Supertyphoon “Yolanda” which demonstrates the fortitude and determination of every Taclobanon to rise over setbacks wiser and stronger,” he shared.
Named after his late father, the PHP750-million project funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2024, divided into two phases, will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office 8 (DPWH-8).
DPWH-8 Regional Director Edgar Tabacon said the BRICC, situated in a 20,620-sqm lot aims to be a world-class venue to host big events, representing an opportunity-rich and future-proof city. Accordingly, it is a three-storey building that can accommodate a total of 2,200 people. Romualdez asked the DPWH-8 to maximize the capacity of the BRICC to 5,000 in line with their dream of building a 5-star hotel in the city.
All structures of the project are also envisioned to be resilient, against strong winds through its unique configuration orientation, and wind tunnel support study, all aligning with the climate of Leyte province. Its ground area offers amenities such as retail concourse, food and beverage areas, lounges, large parking spaces, and other facilities.
“More than just an architectural landmark, it is a celebration of history and the cultural richness of Leyte, and its capital, Tacloban City,” he shared. He added that the design structure is inspired by the “taklob,” a highly symbolic object that represents the culture of Leyte.
Taklob refers to a traditional bamboo contraption used by fishermen in Leyte to catch crabs, shrimp, and fish. (By Marie Tonette Marticio / EV Mail FEB. 3-9, 2025 issue)
