So much has been said and written about the Filipino Multi-Purpose Centre which is better known as the MPC. Members of the Board of Trustees, The Filipino Australian Community Foundation (PACF) now refer to it as the Philippine Australian Community Centre (PACC), apparently to disassociate the Schofields property from the former MPC in Rooty Hill which has, over the years earned a bad image, due to non-completion.
The project was initially conceived by The Filipino Catholic Organisation in Sydney (FILCOS) under the tutelage of former Filipino Chaplain Fr. Renato Paras. But that was some 23 years ago and now Fr. Renato has retired as parish Priest of St. Aidan’s Church in Rooty Hill. PACF has so far raised over $1 million from grants and donations from various organizations and individuals. But still, no functional MPC has been erected.
The MPC in Rooty Hill has been sold and a larger piece of land was bought in Schofields but the acquisition resulted in a debt of close to half a million dollars. During a PCC sponsored meeting held at P-noy Lounge on March 4, 2012, it was alleged that the real amount currently owed by PACF is more than $700,000 and not $400,000 as previously reported.
Records indicate that a big chunk of the money used to make the purchase was borrowed from Stacks Investment at an interest rate of some 11 per cent per annum. One need not be an expert in finance to determine exactly how much money is needed to service the loan. Thus, the principal remains undiminished. When the loan will finally be liquidated remains uncertain.
Will the project ever materialize?
The way things are, the Multi-Purpose Centre has become an impossible dream. Philippine Sentinel is in possession of a letter signed by Blacktown Council General Manager Ron Moore, stating that the property located at 80 Grange Avenue, Schofields is in a “high risk flood zone.”
The letter, dated 15 February 2008, further states “the site is significantly affected by the floodplain of Eastern Creek. . . any flood affecting the site would present a high hazard to any development on or occupants of the site. On this basis it is extremely doubtful whether the proposed use could be approved by Council.”
The above information is something that Ms. Luz Tiqui, CEO of MPC or its Chairman Mansueto Villon, would not want to reveal to people from whom they solicit money for the alleged final completion of the project.
Very recently, the newly-elected president of the Philippine Community Council – NSW Arturo Sayas, acquired a more detailed document from Blacktown Council stating that the location is still classified as a high risk flood zone.
Will the MPC project ever materialize? At the moment, that seems to be an impossible dream.
(Any comment on this editorial may be sent to Dino Crescini, PO Box 243, Doonside NSW 2767 Australia or by email to
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