BACOLOD City – Vendors at Bacolod Public Plaza can now heave a sigh of relief as they are not affected by the ongoing redevelopment in the area.
The City Engineering Office (CEO) assured that no displacement will happen and plaza vendors’ operation will not be hampered.
Engineer Loben Ceballos, CEO officer-in-charge, said he met with the engineer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and the project contractor on March 7 and they inspected the two project sites – the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) in Barangay Villamonte and the public plaza.
“Only a portion of the plaza will be boarded up, particularly the fountain area. Thus vendors here are not affected by the project,” Ceballos said.
The TIEZA of the Department of Tourism (DOT) has earmarked P300 million for the redevelopment of the BCGC and the heritage plaza.
P80 million was allocated for the plaza’s fountains and lighting and upgrading of comfort rooms, and P220 million for the fountain in BCGC.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez earlier said that the upgraded plaza will feature dancing lights, making it a tourist attraction similar to those in Japan and Singapore.
He said the concept is inspired by an international art collective that uses light and music to create immersive experiences.
“By December, we will have a beautiful public plaza. We hope it will regain its status as a prime destination in the city,” the city mayor added./PN
