By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Negros Occidental provincial government yesterday began coordinating with the Bacolod City Office of the Building Office (OBO) with regard to the Negros First Animal Hub at the Panaad Park and Stadium.
The OBO earlier served a work stoppage order and notice of violation over the facility’s construction after it was found to lack a building permit.
OBO head, Engr. Isidro Sun, said acting Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator, Dr. Lucille Gelvolea, coordinated with his office, stating the construction of the facility has been stopped.
Sun said he also informed Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. already ordered an investigation into the P4 million facility.
He stated, the work stoppage order will only be lifted once the provincial government secures a building permit.
As for the controversy over the facility’s construction, which was reported to have not undergone the required bidding process, Sun said he would leave the matter to the provincial government and the contractor to settle the issue.
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