BACOLOD City — The City Legal Office (CLO) of the city government has launched an investigation into the disappearance of waste construction materials from the Bacolod Vendors’ Plaza.
City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. reported that waste materials, including steel bars and other construction scraps, have been gradually vanishing from the site.
According to Ting, video footage obtained by the CLO shows an unidentified individual sawing steel bars at the plaza.
The Bacolod Vendors’ Plaza, which is scheduled for demolition as part of a redevelopment project by SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SPHI), had been fenced off in preparation for the project.
SPHI leased a portion of the city-owned lot in Barangay 12 to proceed with the redevelopment.
“Currently, the premises appear significantly cleared, even though the city has not yet commenced demolition, and the structural materials are no longer visible,” Ting noted.
The Commission on Audit is expected to assess the structures before any demolition begins.
As of now, the city has no identified person of interest regarding the missing materials, but an investigation is underway.
Ting mentioned that he would consult with Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) head Primitivo Tabujara to check if they have any reports on the matter.
Ting also requested additional POSO personnel to monitor the area for further security./PN
