By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday admitted he is “frustrated” over the continued delay of major infrastructure projects.
“We verbally informed them to hasten the completion of projects contracted to private contractors which, until now, have not been turned over to the provincial government,” the governor said.
Lacson added, he will consult with the Provincial Legal Office to see if it is possible to impose penalties on contractors.
“If it warrants that a penalty be imposed, we will consult the legal department,” he stated.
Earlier, Negros Occidental provincial administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, pointed out the delayed completion of the Negros Food Terminal along North Capitol Road, the Negros First Residences, and the Mambukal Convention Center Hotel at the Mambukal Mountain Resort in Murcia.
The governor noted, the Capitol-operated hotel is still without an elevator and while the Mambukal Convention Center Hotel encountered issues when the holes created for air-conditioning units were found to be too small.
“The food terminal project is also not completed,” he added.
Diaz noted, the said projects were started during the administration of Lacson’s predecessor, Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr.
In terms of costs, the food terminal project is valued at P114.6 million, the hotel renovations are worth P113.7 million, and the hotel at Mambukal is pegged at P84.6 million.
Funding for the said projects came via loans the Marañon administration borrowed from the Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, and Philippine Veterans Bank worth a total P500 million./DGB, WDJ