• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Mayor Greg Gasataya said Sept. 28 that the Bacolod city government will not accept the public plaza redevelopment project from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) until it is fully finished.
Gasataya said the contractor and TIEZA visited Friday to inspect the ongoing works, adding that he will discuss the outcome of the inspection meeting with city engineers.
TIEZA committed in June to complete the redevelopment of the Bacolod City Government Center fountain and the heritage plaza by September, but as of press time, construction works are still underway in both projects.
He added that portions of the plaza will be made accessible in the upcoming MassKara Festival, with initial activities set this week, while incomplete areas will remain restricted until fully completed.
“There are parts where the board-ups can already be taken down, while other parts are only halfway down because they are worried that once it’s turned over and open…it could get damaged,” he said.
Gasataya said the city government is extending assistance where possible, such as helping clean the plaza and making repairs or additions that are not covered in the TIEZA’s project budget. | TMD
