BACOLOD City – The contractor had started the demolition of the old Bacolod City Hall building along Araneta and Luzuriaga Streets in preparation for its much-needed renovation.
City Administrator Lucille Gelvolea said demolition of the building’s fourth floor is currently ongoing.
However, the Fountain of Justice, which is part of the old city hall and considered a historic landmark in this city, will remain and would only be developed, said Gelvolea.
She added that affected offices including the City Veterinary Office, Treasurer’s Office and Persons with Disability Office occupying spaces at the old city hall building were transferred to their temporary location.
The three remaining – Department of Interior and Local Government-Bacolod, Commission on Audit and General Services Offices Office – are also set to transfer to their temporary sites at the Cyber Center owned by the Negros Occidental provincial government.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has allocated a budget of P223 million for the renovation of the old city hall. It was sourced from the P4.4-billion loan of the city government with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
The project will still have spaces for government offices. It will also have a library, commercial spaces and basement parking./PN
