BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer said the transfer of a new Capitol building, from its proposed site in Bacolod City, to Talisay City, is more advantageous to the provincial government.
Mayors of Negros Occidental unanimously approved earlier the transfer of the Capitol building to the 25-hectare property purchased by the province in Talisay City, with the area having potentials of a “growth center”, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental is expected to deliberate on and conduct a public hearing on the proposed transfer, to get feedback from various stakeholders, and determine the pros and cons.
“For me, whatever the majority wants; if they are okay, so be it,” Ferrer said.
He added that the mandate of the SP is to give Lacson the authority, and to approve the resources and funds needed.
The provincial government allocated close to P1 billion for the construction of the new Capitol in Talisay, from the initial plan of the previous administration to build it in front of the National Bureau of Investigation building at Aguinaldo Street in Bacolod City.
“If it goes well, then we will notify the contractor that we are moving, and ask them to build the building in Talisay City,” Lacson earlier said, adding that he expects the construction to commence within this year and to be finished in three years. Talisay Mayor Neil Lizares welcomed the proposal to transfer the Capitol building to the city.*
