CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM

From the Latin word convenire, Convention means “to come together”. In the

International law, the term means an agreement among nations by which signatories

regulate specific matters affecting them all, such as the conduct of war. But

architecturally and socially speaking, a convention is generally an assembly or meeting of

delegates to achieve particular civil, political or social purposes (The Assembly, 2009).

In 1976, a milestone year that marked the establishment of the very first Southeast

Asia’s full-fledged convention center in the Philippines, the PICC or the Philippine

International Convention Center, along with this is the creation of the PCB or the

Philippine Convention Bureau to dedicate the promotion of the country as a meetings and

convention destination. The PBC was later recognized in 1978 up to the present as

Tourism Promotion Board (TPB), in response to the market developments which

embraced the quality-oriented Incentive Travel Industry. In the recent years, gatherings

and meetings evolved into a wider representation of several sectors of tourism and

creating more convention centers such as SMX convention center, World Trade Centre,

Mega Trade Hall, Solaire Hotel Grand Ballroom and Sofitel Grand Ballroom. The

convention industry is now known by the acronym: MICE; Meetings, Incentives,

Conventions and Exhibitions/Events (PDoT).

Currently, the MICE industry in Naga like meetings and gatherings are held at 75

different accommodations inside the city, exhibits are placed in three malls and parks and

the like cultural presentation and theatrical performances are conducted in several city

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universities’ auditoria and gymnasia like of that in University of Sta. Isabel, Ateneo de

Naga University and University of Nueva Caceres. This gatherings and plays by both

local and national artist are suitably viewed by audiences. But due to the demand of

multi-commercial expansion of trade and industry as well as the rapid demand for

assembly spaces, a convention center must be recognized, there is a need to provide

advanced technological infrastructure towards accommodation of large conferences,

gatherings of national magnitude and political assemblies as well as establishing an ideal

venue for exhibitions, concerts and musical performances and accommodations.

Naga City, as the region’s center of commerce having a growing population of about

196, 003 inhabitants (NSO, 2015) and tourist arrivals of 1,209,202 in 2016 from 859, 743

in 2013 (ACTO Naga, 2017) , would be appropriate for the location of a proposed

Convention Center. This will invite additional investors and tourist local or foreign which

can provide more work and jobs for the Bicolanos.

The proposed study: “Metro Naga Convention Center: A proposed Naga City

Convention and Exhibition Center”, basically intends to draw, reinforce and sustain the

physical, spatial and functional development needed in the gathering or assembly places.

It also seeks to develop an institution for the purpose of amusement, deliberation,

education, entertainment and instructions. It also aims to provide different facilities,

spaces and hotel area which can satisfy the requirement for a well-planned edifice and

can accommodate the present needs of the local government as well as the use of the

general public. Therefore, this proposal will cater to the needs of different sectors in

conducting their symposiums, meetings, incentives, exhibits and hotel accommodation

that will provide adequate facilities for the development of convention areas.

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 Statement of the Problem

The main idea of the Study is to boost the city’s need for assembly spaces by forming

advanced edifice that is aesthetically, functional and structurally designed to sustain the

expected development of the Proposal.

This study aims to answer the following specific problems;

1. What is the present condition of tourism state of Naga City that affects the

proposal?

2. What are the facilities and amenities that should be included and offered and its

effective approach in improving the convention center without compromising its

aesthetics and its function?

3. What would be the suitable building approaches and architectural innovation to

be applied on the convention center?

Significance of the Study

As part of the research study, the proponent will indicate the corresponding

programs that will give way to the city government’s main concern on creating a

convention center that will signify Naga City as the Bicoladia’s premier setting for

gathering events.

The significance of the study is determined in the following aspects;

City of Naga

It will help the local government of Naga in cultivating its economic status and

endorse tourism as well as a better way to conduct gatherings of small and large

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 scale. It would upsurge more jobs for unemployed individuals in the City and

neighboring areas.

Individuals/people

The study would generate more opportunities of different aspects not just for

Nagueños but also for those who wish to incorporate themselves in the field of

event planning and other related career.

Investor/s

The proposal has the potential to increase investments from local and foreign

financiers since there would be small and large gatherings from time to time.

Researchers

The study will aid as guide and foundation to the future proposals and studies of

convention center and the like structures. This will serve as a key format to

improve the yet to come research.

Scope and Delimitation

The study focuses on recognizing the present condition of Naga City in terms of

directing gatherings which includes meetings, Incentives, concerts and conventions,

exhibits, hotel accommodations and to define the physical and functional development

needed to provide the building character.

This also covers the introduction of spaces, facilities and amenities that should be

provided upon designing and developing a convention center as well as the promotion of

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aesthetically featured edifice. This includes the meeting halls, conference room, plenary

halls, hotel, restaurants and the like facilities to form the proposal without compromising

its beauty, functionality and harmony.

The study also deals with the evaluation, architectural planning, conceptualization

and design development as well as structural concepts, plumbing concepts,

sound/acoustic proofing/treatments and lighting arrangements of the “Metro Naga

Convention Center: A proposed Naga City Convention and Exhibition Center”.

Other term above mentioned requirement like electrical layout, estimate material

cost, any construction documents, related construction services, feasibility and market

study of the proposed study are excluded.

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Definition of Terms

Architectural planning - the act of conceptualization and designing of buildings and

structures in which the main consideration is the artistic value of the building

Accommodation - hotels, motorist hotels, bed & breakfast, lodge and the like structures

which tend to give comfort for travelers and tourists

Acoustics – the proper solution in a building pertaining to sound proofing problems

Aesthetic - any form of art that defines beauty; in architecture, the ambiance of splendor

Assembly - a gathering; a group of people who have gathered together for a single

purpose

Bicolano - the native inhabitants of Region Five in the Island of Luzon, Philippines, also

known as the Bicol Region

Commerce - activities related in business and other services

Convention - a gathering, small or large scale

Convention Center - a complex consisting of meeting halls, banquet halls, ballrooms and

plenary halls

Edifice - a huge building, or any of which with massive structure

Exhibition - an exhibit or any related act of displaying materials

Hotel - an accommodation; a place where people stay during their visit or vacation on a

new build environment

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Infrastructure - a structure needed in the region to function properly

Innovation – a new idea that will improve building: methods, devices or idea

Investor/s - the person/s that put some money or capital in to a business in order to form

or create new market

Nagueño - the locals in Naga City, often called Maogmang Lugar

Occupancy - the act of staying in the same particular space and the number of people

gathered

Sustainability - the ability to last or continue for a long period of time using various

techniques

Tourist - individual or group of people who travel

ACRONYMS

ACTO - Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office, Naga City

MICE - Meetings, Incentives, Convention and Exhibitions/Events

MNCC- Metro Naga Convention Center

PCB - Philippine Convention Bureau

PDOT - Philippine Department of Tourism

PICC - Philippine International Convention Center

TPB - Tourism Promotion Board