KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, July 22  (PIA) —  A  state-of-the-art  convention center  is  on the drawing  board, an official of the city  government here  confirmed.
 
Mayor Peter  Miguel, said  plans  are being laid  out  to build  a world-class  convention center  that  could  accommodate at  least a thousand  persons.
 
Miguel said, the facility will be  convenient, comfortable   and something that the city government and its  residents could  be  proud  about.
 
Besides providing  a place to conduct important  events, the center  is also intended to boost  tourism in SOCCSKSARGEN Region and back  up local businesses, including  hotels and  other  accommodation ventures.
 
Having  such a facility, he added, would reinforce the city government’s initiative to be hailed as  SOCCSKSARGEN Region’s convention hub. 
 
By virtue of  Executive Order 304  that  then Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed on March  30, 2004, Koronadal City is  designated  as the administrative  seat of SOCCSKSARGEN Region  (Region 12) which also covers the  cities of General Santos City, Tacurong, Kidapawan, and Cotabato and  the provinces  North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and South Cotabato.
 
Once  implemented , the convention center  will be  patterned  after  the  SMX  convention center  at  SM Mall  of Asia.  Its façade will be  highlighted  by  a series of  letter K-shaped structures  symbolizing  Koronadal.  It will be built  on the  vacant  lot at the back of the New City  Hall, facing Jesse Robredo Avenue.  
 
Miguel said, the  city  government  plans to  spend at least  Php150 million  for the project.
 
LGU-Koronadal is  currently  constructing a modern  transport  terminal, also  located  along Robredo Ave. 
 
Miguel also plans to  construct  a new public  market, a public hospital and a modern  cemetery  before  his  final  term  ends. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)