• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya expressed disappointment over the status of the Heritage Plaza redevelopment project following a site inspection, and called on the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to conduct its own evaluation and enforce immediate corrective action.
Gasataya said Sept. 30 that while the lighting and fountain systems showed no issues, he was deeply disheartened by the neglected state of the landscaping.
He observed that the plants present before the project started appear to have been abandoned.
Gasataya, in his letter to TIEZA chief operating officer Mark Lapid Sept. 30, detailed severe operational and safety hazards uncovered during the site visit and technical evaluations by the City Engineer’s Office.
“While we eagerly anticipated utilizing the plaza for the impending MassKara period, I was disheartened by what I observed during my visit, along with the technical evaluations,” Gasataya stressed.
He said the site inspection revealed severe drainage failures, surface ponding, unsecured nozzles, absent float valves, nonfunctional lighting, unfinished installations, protruding deteriorated manholes, and undemonstrated control sequences.
He said the fountain will not be used during the festival.
Gasataya urged TIEZA to compel contractors to execute necessary corrective measures, and invited agency officials to conduct a joint inspection once all documented defects are completely resolved.
“Kon indi nila pagtadlungon, pasensiyahanay lang ta,” he added.
Following the plaza visit, Gasataya also inspected the Bacolod City Government Center fountain project last night, alongside TIEZA engineers. | TMD
