The national government-funded Negros Occidental Convention Center in Silay City is seen to boost the province’s bid to become one of the convention hubs in the country.

Construction of the two-story multipurpose facility, which can accommodate up to 6,200 visitors and staff, is set to start next month, based on the project schedule of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as of Friday,

With an estimated project cost of P1.03 billion, an initial P400 million will be released to start the construction, following the groundbreaking on Thursday, it said.

“In the coming months, we will witness the transformation of this site into a state-of-the-art facility. May this center also be the catalyst for making Negros Occidental the rising convention hub of the country,” Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said in a statement.

He added the Negros Occidental Convention Center, which will rise near the Bacolod-Silay Airport, will not only lead to urban transformation and landscape enhancement in Silay City, but also generate new revenue streams.

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who initiated the landmark project when he was still the representative of the neighboring Third District, which includes Silay City, said the idea for the province to have its own convention center started when he attended the launch of the Iloilo Convention Center several years back.

“I said we can also build this in Negros and so the ball started rolling,” he added.

The mayor’s brother, 3rd District Representative Jose Francisco Benitez, said the Negros Occidental Convention Center will be a certified green building that will prioritize eco-friendly practices.

“With our vision for Metro Third and Negros Occidental as a convention hub in motion, this new center will host future conferences, conventions, cultural events, and social gatherings, enriching local culture and driving tourism by attracting more visitors and events to our province and cities,” he added. (PNA)