A congressman is seeking to pass a law that will declare the Philippine Arena of Iglesia ni Cristo as a tourism enterprise of the country. Particularly, he is Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone. This is based on a news in ABS-CBN.
According to him, he had already files a House Bill that will be mandating the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the coordination of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to immediately take steps on it. Specifically to facilitate and assist in the implementation of a tourism development plan. This is the House Bill 4786.
The said bills aims to exempt the said Arena from the payment of application and other similar fees. It will also allow the Arena to enjoy appropriate incentives and benefits that have been gained and enjoyed by the other tourism enterprises that are registered in the country.
They also said that the over-all vision of the said master plan would be seen including shopping centers, hospital and a large scale residential developments. It also proposes the grant of an appropriate and an available fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to the initial phase of the Arena’s construction.
However, the DOT and the TIEZA and other concerned agencies are mandated to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations that will be followed to achieve the proper implementation of the said proposal.
The Philippine Arena of INC has a seating capacity of over 55,000 people. It is also considered as the world’s largest arena.
If this will allowed to push through, the Arena will not only hold major church gatherings of the INC. It will also operate as a multi-purpose sports and concerts venue. It will also be capable of holding a range of events such as boxing and basketball games, even live music performances.