PICC reopens after P1.5B renovation ahead of 50th anniversary

The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City has reopened after a six-month renovation, in preparation for its 50th anniversary and the 2026 ASEAN Summit.

Designed by National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin, the PICC is considered Asia's first international convention center and a National Cultural Treasure.

Restoration efforts, which began in March, included upgrading meeting rooms and facilities, state-of-the-art audio-visual systems, energy-efficient lighting, high-speed Wi-Fi, and enhanced security.

The refurbished convention center was unveiled to select guests on September 30.

President Marcos highlighted the PICC's significance as a symbol of Filipino resilience and creativity, emphasizing the commitment to its preservation and modernization.

The convention center, owned by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), was originally opened in September 1976 during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Historically, the PICC has hosted significant events such as the Miss Universe pageant in 1994, the 1976 IMF-World Bank Meeting, and the ASEAN Summit in 2017.