• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The historic Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City will soon shine at night as the Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) extends support to the province’s efforts to highlight the landmark ahead of its 100th anniversary next year.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Negros Power president and chief executive officer Roel Castro signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Aug. 13, covering the installation of lighting facilities at the Provincial Capitol and the electric posts surrounding the area.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said the initiative forms part of Negros Power’s efforts to help enhance the beauty and prominence of cultural and historical landmarks within its franchise area.
Under the agreement, Negros Power will donate the materials and undertake the installation of the lighting facilities, including the bulbs, wiring, and other specifications needed for the project.
The Negros Occidental provincial government, meanwhile, will take charge of the maintenance and upkeep of the installations after completion.
Diaz said the project is particularly timely as the Capitol building marks its centennial anniversary next year, giving added significance to efforts to showcase its architectural and historical value.
“All sides of the Capitol building will be glowing,” Diaz said, noting that the lighting will highlight the building’s facades and architectural features.
He added that the project will also complement the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to prune and curate overgrown trees around the Capitol grounds to ensure that the landscaping will complement rather than obscure the historic structure.
Diaz said the province intends to carefully manage the trees surrounding the Capitol to better showcase its architectural design, particularly as preparations get underway for the building’s centennial celebration.
For Castro, the signing of the agreement marks the start of closer coordination between Negros Power and the provincial government to bring the project to completion.
Diaz said that Negros Power is targeting to finish the lighting installation before the end of the year.
The lighting project is expected to give the Provincial Capitol a more striking presence at night while reinforcing its identity as one of Negros Occidental’s treasured cultural and historical landmarks.
Diaz said they will also repaint the Capitol’s facades next year as part of preparations for the centennial celebration. | GPB
