BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The planned transfer of the provincial government of Negros Occidental to Talisay City is pushing through, according to Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz.
“There’s no going back. We are putting all the requirements in place before presenting it to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) for final approval,” Diaz said.
The province’s legislative body is expected to call a public hearing with various sectors before approving the plan to move the capitol offices from Bacolod City to the 24-hectare property in Talisay City.
Citing initial talks with the SP led by Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, Diaz hinted that all members favor the proposal.
Talisay City is about seven kilometers north of Bacolod City, facing the Bacolod-Silay Access Road in the east.
Meanwhile, the old Provincial Administration Center (PAC) in Bacolod City will be demolished by private firm Dynamic Builders and Construction Company under an agreement signed with the provincial government under the administration of the late Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.
The company will lease the 6,485-square meter property where the PAC currently stands.
Under the agreement, Dynamic Builders will construct a P1.4 billion nine-storey commercial building that will include a mall, a hotel and a business process outsourcing facility.
“If this is realized, the biggest beneficiary is our constituents who will be able to enjoy a one-stop-shop,” Diaz said./PN
