By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY—Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez announced Monday that the rehabilitation of the Bacolod public plaza and the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) grounds will begin this month.
The city government tapped the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to implement the two projects, which have a total budget of PHP300 million.
Benitez said PHP80 million has been allocated for the plaza, including improvements to the fountain and other facilities, while PHP220 million has been designated for the renovation of the BCGC grounds.
TIEZA completed the bidding process in December and is now mobilizing the project, he said.
“If I’m not mistaken, they will start construction this month,” Benitez added.
The mayor said the projects are expected to be completed in three to four months.
“Hopefully, we can restore the public plaza as a place where people can gather,” he said.
The upgraded plaza will feature dancing lights, making it a tourist attraction similar to those in Japan and Singapore.
Benitez said the concept is inspired by teamLab, an international art collective that uses light and music to create immersive experiences.
When asked about existing vendors around the plaza, Benitez said the city will evaluate how to regulate them.
“We will cross the bridge when we get there,” he added.
Meanwhile, Atty. Marty Go, secretary to the mayor, said the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) and the Bacolod Housing Authority (BHA) are preparing documents to request an exemption from the election spending ban for social services and housing projects.
Under the Commission on Elections (Comelec) guidelines, the deadline for exemption requests is Feb. 11, he said.
Go added that the City Engineering Office has until March 28 to seek an exemption for public works projects.
Benitez said the city will not wait until the deadline and will submit the necessary documents to Comelec as soon as possible.
“We don’t want it to be delayed because it would be a waste,” he said.
