By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The proposed construction of the P135-million Negros First Global Institute of Technology in Rafael B. Lacson Memorial High School’s oval was junked after protests in its groundbreaking activity earlier this year.

The student protesters claim that the project would tarnish the oval which is used as training ground for school athletes, winning the favor of the facility’s relocation to a 2.5-hectare property in Talisay City’s Barangay Matab-ang.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson showed his support, wanting a win-win solution where both parties are satisfied.

“Talisay said they want to push for their sports development program and that oval is crucial,” Lacson said.

The governor personally visited the site alongside Provincial Engineer Ernie Mapa, NOLITC Administrator Dr. Ma. Cristina Orbecido, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayrando Diaz, and Executive Assistant Francis Velez.

The site is considered “the heart of the airport economic corridor” and already hosts the La Consolacion College Talisay City Campus and the Technological University of the Philippines-Visayas Luis J. Montinola Resource and Research Center, which houses a metal powder-coating facility./DGB, WDJ