TACLOBAN CITY – Phase 1 of the P160-million astrodome project of the city government has recently been completed by its contractor, Young Builders, who was paid P60 million for undertaking that phase of the project.

Engr. Rolando Hidalgo, head of the City Planning and Development Office, told Leyte Samar Daily Express that Phase II, the final stage of the project, which would cost P100 million, would be up fore bidding next month and that its target date of completion is October 2005.

Hidalgo said that the astrodome, which has a seating capacity of 5, 000, could help improve the economic situation of Tacloban for it would generate business and job opportunities. It was learned that the astrodome would have spaces restaurants and other commercial establishment.

Hidalgo said the city government would also earn income from space rentals whenever there are conventions, conferences and indoor sports event like the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) games.

“It is not a white elephant,” Hidalgo stressed.

Aside form the astrodome, the city government headed by Mayor Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez has also lined up some big projects like the P299-milion bus terminal with shopping complex and public market at a six-hectare land in Abucay district. The mayor hopes to finish this and his other projects before his last term expires in June 2007.

The present bus terminal at the back of the public market being leased by Far East Corporation is also being eyed as the site of a fish port once it would be vacated by the lessee.

He said that like the fish port in Cebu which was financed by the Belgium government will also ask Belgium government to fund the Tacloban fish port project.

“We are still waiting for reply and comment of the Belgium government,” Hidalgo said .

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