CICC is not generating income

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu International Convention Center is allegedly bleeding the provincial government’s coffer instead of giving income.

Lawyer Dara Acusar, Capitol consultant on legal and media affairs, yesterday showed a comparative report of the Provincial Treasurer’s Office on the income of CICC as against its expenses.

The report shows that electricity expenses were charged against the general fund of the Capitol instead of the CICC trust fund. Acusar said they have yet to know the water bills, landscape and other operating expenses.

Acusar said that they will review the contract entered into between the Province of Cebu and a private company for the supply of water which is reportedly at P60 per cubic meter, higher than the P28 per cubic meter of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District.

In 2011, the CICC earned P13.17 million while the total expenses was P12.83 million charged to trust fund excluding the P8.87 million of electricity expenses that was charged to the Capitol’s general fund.

In 2012, the total revenue earned was P14.07 million while the expenses charged to CICC’s trust fund was P11.86 million.

The electrical consumption of P10.18 million was also charged to general fund.

“It’s not revenue generating, its not income generating,” Acusar said.

Acusar however stressed that the CICC has functions but the government which is not into business has to weigh against what the cost should be.

She said that Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes who is a member of the CICC management board is asking about the expenses prompting the office of acting Governor Agnes Magpale to ask the provincial treasurer to submit the report.

The CICC is a joint venture of the Provincial Government of Cebu and the City Government of Mandaue.

“We are looking into those expenses because we’re seeing na we cannot and let the CICC use for free anymore because taas kaayo siya og expenses,” Acusar said. (FREEMAN)