Expo Pilipino

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Expo Pilipino (now Clark Expo) is the Philippine National Centennial Exposition and centerpiece of the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898. The 60-hectare entertainment park in Clarkfield, Pampanga is a celebration of the Filipino's history, culture, and achievements in the past 100 years, as well as aspirations for the next millennium. This was a project of the National Centennial Commission (NCC) and the Philippine Centennial Exposition Corporation.

1 Budget
2 Issues
3 Reopening
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Budget

The construction of Expo Filipino entailed a total budget of Php3.5 billion (U.S.$ 63.64 million). Then President Fidel Ramos directed three Government Financial Institutions: the Social Security System (SSS), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and the Land Bank of the Philippines to lend a total of Php1.4 billion (U.S.$25.45 million) to the joint venture.

[edit] Issues

The project was criticized for the excessive amounts of money that went to its construction. Particular targets of criticism were: a Freedom Ring (more than Php1.2 billion); a parking lot (Php111 million); an entry zone (Php118 million); display villages (Php290 million); an artificial river (Php76 million); and bridges on this river (Php32 million).^[1]

Expo Filipino closed down in 1999, during the administration of former President Joseph Estrada, after sustaining heavy losses.

[edit] Reopening

On December 8, 2005, Expo Pilipino which has been mothballed for more than five years reopened as CLARK EXPO to host trade exhibits and cultural presentations headed by the Clark Development Corporation (CDC). The theme park reopening featured concerts, world-class furniture exhibits, carnival rides and major concerts.

CDC president Antonio Ng said the soft opening of Clark Expo last December 8 was realized due to the directive and full support of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in boosting tourism and investment activities inside the Clark Special Economic Zone, with her Administrative Order (AO) No. 63 issued on Feb. 17, 2003, directing the transfer of certain assets and liabilities of the National Development Company (NDC) in First Clark Centennial Corporation (FCCC) to CDC. ^[2]

In connection with the reopening of the theme park was the Clark National Duathlon Championships on December 19 and the holding of the annual district assembly of some 10,000 members of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Pampanga and Tarlac on Dec. 23, 24 and 25. CDC spent some Php2.5 million for the rehabilitation of the Barasoain Church replica mini amphitheater, trade halls and convention centers in the Expo Pilipino.^[3]