• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Sangguniang Panlungsod has asked the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and contractor Amigo Entertainment Technologies Oct. 15 to present the complete plans, designs, programs of works, and other relevant information on the redevelopment of the plaza and the Government Center fountain area.
The SP also unanimously passed a resolution on the conduct of a joint committee meeting and stakeholder consultation “to ensure transparency, accountability, public participation, and proper coordination and implementation of (these) projects.”
This as Councilor Em Ang, in a privilege speech, took note of varied reactions from the public, especially on the plaza redevelopment.
“Many Bacolodnons say the new design feels disconnected from who we are. The lighted spheres and the new fountain are modern…but many ask what they say about Bacolod,” Ang, chairperson of the SP Committee on Culture and Arts, said. “The plaza is part of our history. Improvements must respect its character and the memories of those who grew up in it, and must also reflect the Bacolod that we know.”
She said the public deserves to know the scope, the cost, the timeline, and the funding source of these projects, and who is accountable for each stage. “The people who depend on these spaces, vendors, performers, event organizers, and nearby establishments must be consulted and considered so that progress does not come at their expense.”
Ang also stressed the need for sustainability. “A beautiful fountain and plaza mean little if they are not maintained. We need a clear plan for the upkeep, cleanliness, safety, and lighting long after the ribbon is cut.”
Progress and heritage are not enemies, and a modern city can honor its past while building its future, she added. | CGC
