Two “big projects” are set to begin construction in Bacolod City this year. Mayor Evelio Leonardia discussed the P963 million projects during last Tuesday’s New Year’s Eve countdown at the Bacolod City Government Center.
He revealed, construction on the P800 million Bacolod Masskara Coliseum will commence this month, while the P163 million Bacolod Museum is scheduled to begin within the first quarter.
The projects are funded by the P1.7 billion loan the city government earlier borrowed from the Development Bank of the Philippines. The amount is also expected to fund construction of the P350 million Progreso Village relocation site, the P350 million Bacolod City College site and facility development project, and P200 million in roads and bridges.
Earlier, Senator Miguel Zubiri said he lobbied for the museum’s P163 million budget, which will include certain allocations. He explained, the museum will also have an auditorium where events, meetings, and other activities can be held.
The senator said the structure will have a “leaf design” and described it as a “little version of the Sydney Opera House.”
The mayor noted, “When the two big projects are already there, in the new growth area, Bacolod will never be the same.”
Leonardia led the countdown to 2020 alongside his family, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, other city officials, department heads, and barangay officials./DGB, WDJ