Jobs will be the initial benefit Bohol gets from the proposed Central Visayas Cultural Hub which is envisioned to rise in a property on Mt. Banat-i in barangay Bool.
This was the answer of Gov. Arthur Yap during the regular Friday press conference on Oct. 9, 2020 to the question posed by The Bohol Tribune.
He reiterated during the press conference that the infrastructure projects will provide jobs and a two (2) to three (3) times multiplier effect.
This means that in every peso spent for the infrastructure project, there will be 2 to 3 times return on investment, the governor explained.
Currently, the project received P200 million in initial funding, Yap added during the press conference.
According to the governor, the chief funding agencies for the cultural hub project are the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DRWH).
Based on a masterplan crafted by Architect Niño Guidaben, the project cost may reach P 1 billion, the governor revealed.
Out of the P200 million, P60 to 70 million will be earmarked for the detailed engineering and design studies. The remaining funds will be used in the initial structural pile driving works and in the acquisition of the access roads going to the cultural hub site.
The governor also said that the project will be a multi-year program, which means that it will get a share from the annual national budget each year.
On Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2020, Yap met with First District Rep. Edgar Chatto, DPWH-7 Planning Division Chief Nonato Paylado, Arch. Guidaben, Lutgardo Labad of the NCCA and Bohol Arts, Culture and Heritage Council, and Evelyn Ayuban of the Provincial Engineer’s Office to discuss the said project.
According to a Capitol Media report, the imposing hub structure on the hill, a part of barangay Bool and Tagbilaran City’s highest elevation, has to be new normal compliant.
The road leading to the site will have bike lanes and will be spruced up to send a welcoming, embracing ambience to the visitors, the report adds.
Moreover, the proposed cultural hub will feature museums and museum pieces and exhibits will be coming from other provinces in Region 7, the same report says.