By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator, Dr. Ma Lina Sanogal, yesterday affirmed a proposal for the P4-million Negros First Animal Hub was signed, however, procurement papers for a contractor have yet to surface.

In an interview with local media, Sanogal explained the “technical aspects” of the facility are currently being decided by the Provincial Legal Office in order to resolve the issue.

She insisted the provincial government always goes through a bidding process and invites contractors to bid.

“I didn’t actually see the papers for its procurement because it no longer passes to me,” Sanogal said.

Earlier, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. said he was unaware of the animal hub’s construction, revealing he learned about it during the opening day of the 25th Panaad sa Negros Festival.

The issue was earlier brought forward after I Watch Negros Occidental, Inc. found the construction project had not gone through a bidding process.

“I do not even know who is the contractor,” the governor added.

He said the contractor built the structure inside the Panaad Park and Stadium on their own.

The governor added, he would not pay for the structure since he did not sign any documents related to the construction. However, Marañon pointed out, since the land within the Panaad Park and Stadium grounds is government property, the provincial government will claim the structure as theirs.

The facility, which is estimated to be around 80 to 95 percent complete, includes animal pens with rails, a drainage system, auctioneer’s bleachers, and an administration building./DGB, WDJ