BACOLOD City – The construction of this city’s museum-auditorium is expected to start in the first quarter of 2021. More than P200 million was already downloaded to fund the project.
Over the weekend, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, who is sourcing the funds from the national government, led the groundbreaking rites for what he considers as a “legacy project for Bacolod.”
The P260-million museum-auditorium, poised to become a major tourist attraction in Western Visayas, will rise on a portion of the 8.8-hectare land donated by the Yanson family in Barangay Alijis.
The initial proposed budget was only P163 million, but the senator was able to source an additional P50 million, bringing the current project fund to P213 million.
After three years of planning and discussion, Zubiri said the project is finally becoming a reality.
“It now has a budget. They will proceed, the project has been bid out by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),” the senator said.
For his part, Mayor Evelio Leonardia said Zubiri told him that he doesn’t just want a simple museum, but he wants to help “build something iconic for Bacolod.”
“Not only that senator Migz fulfills his promise, he gives even more,” the mayor added.
Director Leah Delfinado of DPWH Region 6 said the contractor will work on the detailed architectural and engineering design after the groundbreaking.
“At the same time, they can start with the ground preparation. Our target for the contractor to start the actual construction is February to March. The duration is 385 calendar days or a little more than a year,” Delfinado said.
Architect Leonilo Ramon Lichauco of the Manila-based LG+V Architect/Planners said the design of the two-structure edifice is “inspired by nature”, with the top view showing leaf-shaped buildings connected to each other.
The auditorium, which can seat up to 540 people, will also have function rooms underneath that can be utilized for various events. (With PNA/PN)
