By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

Provincial Legal Officer, Atty. Mary Ann Lamis, earlier revealed a panel will be formed to investigate the construction of the P4-million Negros First Animal Hub, located within the Panaad Park and Stadium, amid allegations the project commenced without a bidding process or purchase request.

Lamis was assigned to the task by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr., who earlier revealed he was unaware of the facility’s construction, admitting he only learned about it during the opening day of the Panaad sa Negros Festival.

The panel will be comprised of four individuals from various provincial government departments.

Eva Resoor, who claimed to be supplying materials for the construction project, said they were previously designated by Special Project and Concerns Department head Ian de Ramos, who passed away earlier this year.

She said the ongoing construction, while not formally allowed by the provincial government, is being done to “show her skills at beautifying the building.”

Resoor added, she is considering donating the facility to the provincial government; however, Marañon earlier pointed out, since the land within the Panaad Park and Stadium grounds is government property, the government will claim the structure as theirs.

Earlier this week, Negros Occidental Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator, Dr. Ma Lina Sanogal, affirmed a proposal for the animal hub was signed, but procurement papers for a contractor had yet to surface./JSG, WDJ