The Government of the City of San Fernando, Pampanga (CSFP) and the SM Development Corporation (SMDC) have broken ground on the Giant Lantern and Tourist Information Center at the former Paskuhan Village in the Philippines.
CSFP Mayor Edwin Santiago said that this initiative forms part of the city’s efforts towards maintaining its brand as the country’s ‘Home of the Giant Lanterns’ and ‘Christmas Capital’.
Santiago further said: “This project is more than just a building or infrastructure. In a wider perspective, we see this as a fruit of our effort to unite the community by reliving culture and tradition.”
The tourist information centre will be built on a 5,000m2 piece of land, which was donated by the Premier Central, Incorporated (PCI), a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings Corporation, to the city government.
City Engineer Anele David said: “The lot and building were donated to us by our private sector partner. Our participation in this endeavour is on the maintenance and operation expenses. In terms of construction, our role is to monitor their compliance to the existing protocols.”
The tourist information centre will be two-storey building with a total floor area of 500m2.
Once built, it will feature a display space, a museum, pasalubong shop, and library and archives centre, an office of the tourism department, and a conference room.
The other portion of land will house an amphitheatre to hold different activities.
City Tourism officer Ching Pangilinan said: “In keeping true to its legacy and as part of our Kapampangan heritage, we were able to get a donation for the property. With that, we will somehow relive the old Paskuhan but in a modern and more contemporary fashion so as not to forget our history and tradition as Fernandinos.”
Pangilinan added that the new building will reflect the actual Paskuhan Village.
The Giant Lantern and Tourist Information Center is expected to be completed by the end of this year.