Olongapo as Convention City
Olongapo City is on track to become a “Convention City,” Mayor Rolen Paulino told local businessmen here during his “State of the City Address” recently.
Paulino made the statement banking on the ongoing development of the Civic Center Complex by SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI).
The Complex will comprise, among others, the SM Mall, a hotel and a convention center with a 3,000 seating capacity.
“SMPHI president Hans Sy has given assurance that he will divert convention activities from the SM Mall Of Asia (MOA) to Olongapo,” Paulino said.
He added that other convention sites outside Metro Manila like Baguio and Tagaytay are already congested, with vehicular traffic posing as a major problem.
Olongapo is easily accessible via the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), barely 2 hours from Metro-Manila.
“Marami pwedeng gawin dito sa Gapo after every convention, like go swimming in our clean beaches, enjoying the good night life and restaurants,” he said, “with easy access to the Subic Freeport and the province of Zambales, which is famous for its mangoes and beaches with crystal clear waters.”
He urged the local businessmen to upgrade their facilites and invest in the city.
“Mula sa hotel owners hanggang sa tindahan na maliit, tricycle driver at nagtitinda ng yosi ay makikinabang sa development na ito,” he said.
