It will take two more years before the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) reopens to the public.

The ongoing rehabilitation of the iconic building designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin has reached 30% completion, with a projected full completion by 2025 and doors opening in 2026.

"As of today, we made about 30 per cent completion. With our consultants already onboard, we expect that the work would speed up. We project full completion by 2025. Definitely, by 2026, we will be opening our doors and welcoming everyone to our theaters at the CCP Main Building," said CCP President Ad Interim Michelle Nikki Junia.

The current phase involves structural retrofitting, along with mechanical, electrical, plumbing/sanitary, and fire protection works.

"The rehabilitation project emanated from the building audit we did from 2018 to 2019. The findings from the audit necessitated that the 55-year-old building needed more than its usual maintenance. It needs an overhaul," Junia added.

Engr. Debbie Ponteras, head of CCP's Administrative Services Department, said the rehabilitation adheres to the set schedule, prioritizing mechanical retrofitting, fire protection, electrical, and sanitary aspects, despite discovering new structural damages.

"Lahat ng mechanical retrofitting iyon ang pinaka-priority namin, then fire protection, electrical and sanitary... Once nagkaroon na kami ng proper contract, major architectural restoration na tayo, kasama doon ang mga finishes, carpets, walls, and ceilings, kasama na rin yung sa exterior natin," said Ponteras.

"May mga nakikita kaming structural defect na hindi namin nakita before, so iyon ang ina-address namin ngayon... Iyon ang mga unforeseen structural defects na nasa loob siya ng ceiling... Nakikita namin iyong deterioration na structural. Iyon ang kailangan namin i-address to comply with the 2015 National Structural Code," Ponteras added.

Project Manager for ORRA, Arch. Rogelio Santos, ensured that once completed, the building will be more resilient against strong earthquakes.

"It is all safe actually, so what we only did is to retrofit or make the columns enlarged to some particular sizes.... That is to counteract yung movement ng building kapag mayroon earthquake or seismic or anything," he said.

Despite the closure, programs promoting the arts continue, with upcoming events like Kanto Kultura, showcasing various forms of street art.

"This year, we look forward to new programs such as Kanto Kultura, evocative of street art in any of its forms: music, broadcast and film, literature, theater, dance, and visual arts. The first iteration of Kanto Kultura will be Baraptasan, a modern take on the Balagtasan, in celebration of the centenary of Francisco Balagtas Baltazar. The Baraptasan will feature literary jousting in Filipino, Cebuano, Hiligaynon and Ilokano," said CCP Vice-Chairperson Margie Moran-Floirendo.

"For 2024, we are targeting to produce 765 events, ranging from performances, screenings, exhibits and workshops both onsite, off-site, and online. We hope to reach over 200,000 onsite viewers, and engage over 6000 artists. For our workshops, we hope they can benefit 16,000 participants,” said CCP'S Creative Director Dennis Marasigan.

Noteworthy festivals such as CCP Pasinaya, Virgin Labfest, and Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival are part of the anticipated lineup.