By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

In response to Negros Occidental Assistant Provincial Legal Officer, Atty. Mary Ann Lamis, who earlier said the results of the Negros First Animal Hub investigation are “confidential and for the eyes of the governor,” Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday stressed the information must be revealed to the public.

He, however, noted, “It should be the governor’s right to make it public or not.”

Lacson added, as provincial government officials, he and the members of the Provincial Board will request copies of the results.

With regard to conducting their own investigation, the vice governor said, for now, he does not see a reason as the governor already ordered a probe. He reiterated, the public needs to be aware of the results.

As for the P10 million budget allocated for the project, “I believe it is still intact,” he said.

Back in March, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. halted construction of the structure, which was reportedly almost 80 percent complete, after the Provincial Capitol Bids and Awards Committee informed him there was no notice to proceed nor a formal public bidding process conducted.

The governor added, he was unaware of the ongoing construction.

Construction reportedly began when Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Renante Decena, was on leave and around the same time then-Panaad Park and Stadium officer-in-charge Ian de Ramos died, the governor previously noted./DGB, WDJ