Lacson awaits SP move on Capitol transfer plan

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  • MITCH M. LIPA

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he will submit documents and related information anytime to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on the planned transfer of the Provincial Administration Center from the North Capitol Road to the property owned by the provincial government in Talisay City.

Lacson said he will leave it to the SP to take the first steps and other necessary moves before discussing the matter with different sectors by calling a series of public hearings.

The members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan during their regular session at the Capitol. | PIO Photo

Lacson issued the statement following calls for the creation of a Technical Working Group that will be tasked to study all aspects related to the viability of transferring the seat of the provincial government outside of Bacolod City, the province’s capital.

The Association of Chief Executives, composed of 12 mayors of component cities of Negros Occidental, had already expressed its support late last year to transfer the construction of the new PAC building to Talisay City from its original site beside the old Capitol.

Lacson said the SP will invite key sectors to discuss matters pertaining to the plan.

A ranking executive of a major broadcast network, Dr. Jeony Bigay, who is also a faculty in Public Administration at a local university, earlier raised the need for Capitol to form a TWG as a requisite in planning for a major project by a local government unit.

The TWG will determine the viability of the proposed move and its findings to be presented to the head of the local government unit before forwarding the same to the members of the Provincial Board for concurrence.

The governor earlier expressed optimism of the Sanggunian’s support.

With certainty on the support of the SP and if results of the public hearings are favorable, the plan will be presented to the winning contractor, Ricardo Yanson Jr. of the Dynamic Builders.

The plans and design will be similar from the original one, a multiple storey government building.

Lacson said the original cost of the project was P900 million, sourced out from Capitol’s bank loan made by the previous administration under the late Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.

The proposed site is located along the Bacolod-Silay Airport access road in Barangay Matab-ang in Talisay city.

The property was acquired by the previous administration. – MML