BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
YES, SILAY City is heading to a major eco (economic) breakthrough.
The causer: It’s soon-to-be built new government center.
On Wednesday, Feb. 16, it broke ground for it. Total project cost: P1 billion.
Such will include a two-storey building, site development, furniture and fixtures, among others.
The edifice, a heritage in concept and design which Silay is popularly known, will sprawl on a 6.5-hectare land donated by the Jalandonis in Hacienda Maquina, Barangay Rizal.
The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is the sole lender for this praiseworthy purpose.
Asked for comment after the ground breaking ceremony, Mayor Mark Golez’s candid reply: I am very, very happy! At last, Silaynons’ dream of having this new city hall to be called New Silay Capitol will come true.”
But Mayor Mark’s “witty” remark: “This is another mark of excellence that I’ll be leaving for Silaynons.”
What a wonderful pronouncement worthy of extol. Mayor Mark is gunning for a third and final term as top political honcho of Silay. In case luck will side him anew against his second time-challenger, former vice mayor Joedith Gallego, still he can no longer see the concluding phase of the project.
Based on the timeline, the new city hall will be completed in four years. But for Mayor Mark: “No regret!”
In fact, he articulated: “It’s a challenge for me or for my administration to really finish the project within the first quarter (Q1) of 2026 or before I conclude my third and final term in June of the same year (just in case).”
Nice quip. After all, win or lose in the May 9 elections, this new city hall will be Mayor Mark’s ineffaceable legacy expected to bear lots of intuitive economic goodness for Silaynons of today and tomorrow.
Too, it is a morale booster for Silaynons and for the city dubbed as the “Little Paris of Negros”.
QUANTIFIER EFFECTS
Well, talking of economic goodness, let’s dwell on the quantifier effects that this new city hall will deliver later.
According to Mayor Mark, it’ll surely instigate the creation of a “new town” within the periphery. Spur of investments to follow soon. Job generation’s next. Then, tax valuation for the surrounding real properties will be elevated.
All these and more couldn’t be mere talk alone, rather possible since the site of the new city hall is quite strategic. Such is approximately nearer to Bacolod-Silay Airport and Teresita Lopez-Jalandoni Memorial Provincial Hospital.
It’s also facing the posh subdivision La Alegria, and will be meters away from the soon-to-be developed township by the Sy-led SM Development Corporation (SMDC). Thus, truly “attractive” for investors!
ADDED ATTRACTION
Having a “classy” and imposing design reflective of the city’s prominent historical and cultural heritage, the new city hall – which will be located just beside the airport’s access road – will also be an added attraction for tourists who will come and go to the “booming” tourist destinations in the mountain barangays of Patag and Guimbala-on.
Patag, 32 kilometers from the ctiy’s poblacion, is home to various highland resorts. This small mountainous village used to be the stronghold of the Japanese Imperial Forces and also known for its “Pulang Tubig” waterfall. And there, one can also have his/her soul rejuvenated in the “TInagong Dagat” lagoon.
On the other hand, the Lantawan View is now Guimbalaon’s tourism gem. Patag and Guimbalaon are now the budding yet amazing destinations for everyone regardless of age, but especially for the nature lovers. And both are the “very reason” why Silay has (now) this Patag-Guimbala-on Development and Management Authority (PGDMA). Thanks to City Administrator Atty. Jose Edward Davila for providing me a copy of City Ordinance No. 02, series of 2021 that gave birth to this PGDMA on March 2, 2021.
And to give justice to this 14-page document as well as to the benevolence of Atty. Davila, I took time reading such the other night. There, I found out that PGDMA is not just an ordinary ordinance. Rather, it’s a “smart” one with dual purpose: promote highland tourism to the maximum level and at the same time protect nature at its best (possible) way.
PGDMA’s vital intents, though, are to aid and ensure the effective and efficient implementation, enforcement and compliance of all pertinent environmental laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
It also aims to ensure the protection of both Patag and Guimbala-on from industry interference at all times.
Too, it is mandated to conduct information dissemination and capacity-building programs to raise socioeconomic awareness.
Above all, it’ll also educate the public how to use and enjoy the areas still consistent with the principles of biological diversity and sustainable development.
‘GIFTED’
On the other hand, it is as if Mayor Mark is “gifted” with leadership and management skills useful for an excellent execution of his mandate through projects and programs for the Silaynons in an appropriate timing.
Well, listening to him talking on Silay’s current Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), capacity to loan, as well as his future plans and projections for the city, I can’t help but be amazed on his knack on calculation. He talks so fast but with sense – all for the best of Silay and the Silaynons.
His utmost concern for the city’s welfare, progress and development is colossal. But he candidly admits he can’t do “magic”. However, with the burning passion and optimism to really execute things for the betterment of Silay, he’s sure he will never go wrong.
Yes, Silay and Victorias are two remaining component cities in Negros having no new government center yet. But he says it ain’t a race after all. First and foremost, he always thinks of the city’s capacity to loan and pay later. Mathematics for Silay’s IRA, of course, is quite essential for him in order not to “discriminate” the city’s prime services.
Thus, reaching the finality of the decision to apply for a loan for this new city hall seems to be the “grandiose” moment for him.
And coming up with the “superb” concept and design is one great and remarkable ingenuity for his leadership. Mayor Mark really waited for the right time and the right concept and design for him to say yes. So, when everything seems okay to be okay, sans hesitation, he declared: Go!
Seeing the blue print of the proposed new Silay City Hall (Capitol), no doubt it’ll “rock” the province anew by having this one-of-a-kind government center-cum-tourist attraction. Hence, the very lesson of this of this piece is: Always trust God’s timing.
Maybe it’s late or too late, but the impact is great!/PN
