September 20, 2004
The vision of the CCP complex as the mecca for art and culture in Asia came one more step closer to reality when the CCP Complex Business and Master Plan was finally completed last November 2003. This was announced by CCP President Nestor O. Jardin.
The CCP Complex Plan was designed by Planning Resources & Operations Systems Inc. (PROS) on the commission of the CCP. The Plan which covers some 60 hectares of land available for development will serve as the framework for a comprehensive artistic, cultural, ecological, commercial and tourism development. “The output is a two volume document which gives the concept and framework for the development, the parameters for development, design guidelines, the business plan and such detailed studies such as traffic management, road network, sewerage and landscaping. “, Jardin said. “It also fleshes out the vision that we have established for the CCP Complex.”
The Plan comes three years after the 2000 Supreme Court decision establishing the CCP as the owner of the land that comprises the CCP Complex. For a number of years up until that time, the development of the Complex had to take a back seat, due to political and economic conditions of the country, Jardin said, and especially when a civil case was filed by some private developers for land ownership.
The vision for the CCP Complex was formulated in consultation with its stakeholders (CCP Board members, CCP officials, artists, cultural workers, members of the media, art patrons and government officials. The Plan envisions the CCP Complex as a major cultural, ecological and tourism landmark in the Philippines as well as a home for the Filipino artist and an urban oasis for the Filipino people.
Targetted for completion within the next ten years, from 2004-2013, the Plan will be implemented in four phases. The development will also utilize provisions in RA 7916 (PEZA Law and RA 7718 (BOT Law) for its benefit. The CCP, Jardin said, is in the final stages of its application for PEZA to declare the CCP as the CCP Eco-tourism Zone. “This is important because it will facilitate the development. It will also attract investors because of the incentives offered.”
With the completion of the Plan, the CCP is now inviting local and foreign investors and developers become its partners in the development of the complex. In December last year, the Plan was presented to prospective investors that included big players in business and industry today.
The CCP Complex is part of the entire Boulevard 2000 property which covers an estimated 1,500 hectares of reclaimed land along the southern coast of Manila Bay. The Boulevard 2000 plan designates the CCP Complex as the Arts and Entertainment section.
“This realization of the plan is important to us because we are developing it for the Filipino people. We would like the public to enjoy the CCP Complex and to come here more often because what will be constructed, developed here and the corresponding programs that will go with the development are for all artists, cultural workers and for the Filipino people,” Jardin said.
