Governor: Facility will become a government-run coffee shop

After a meeting between the Negros Cooperative Bank and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, the latter yesterday confirmed the financial institution was given one year to vacate from its present location at the Capitol Park and Lagoon,
The governor said, within the one-year extension, the bank will have its own sub-meter in order for them to pay their electricity bills.
He also assured bank officials that the province will assist in finding a relocation site.
Earlier, bank manager Phoebe Tongson said they are willing to move but would need time to look for a relocation site and to create a new vault that is in compliance with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas requirements.
Last month, the Negros Occidental Provincial Board approved a resolution ejecting the bank from an agreement pertaining to the Capitol Park and Lagoon. According to Board Member Andrew Montelibano, who authored the resolution, said the bank “violated its deed of usufruct with the provincial government.” A usufruct agreement permits an outside party to use a piece of property for a period of time.
The provincial official claimed, under the contract, using the land is free but the bank must pay for utilities. He added, the Provincial Legal Office looked into the matter and, through the Provincial Engineer’s Office, found the bank’s electrical connection was attached to the Provincial Capitol building.
Meanwhile, Lacson revealed, once vacated, there are already plans to convert the bank into a government-run coffee shop./DGB, WDJ