P158M will go towards

funding Panaad Park repairs

The Negros Occidental Provincial Board yesterday approved a P181,235,000 supplemental budget with most of it allocated to fund ongoing repairs at the Panaad Park and Stadium.
Board Member Rommel Debulgado, who chairs the Provincial Board Committee on Finance, said P158 million will be appropriated for repairs. Meanwhile, P13 million is earmarked for the Panaad sa Negros Festival support fund, P8 million will go towards provincial investment and promotions logistical support, and P2 million is for renovations of the Provincial Investment and Promotion Office conference room.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson previously said a total P250 million will be needed for repairs.
Renovations, which are expected to take 11 months, are currently underway ahead of the upcoming Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet and Palarong Pambansa, which Negros Occidental will host in 2021.
Lacson earlier announced the Panaad Grandstand would not be available for use in this year’s Panaad sa Negros Festival, which typically takes place in April, due to renovations. He explained, while the grandstand will be the first area to undergo repairs, other areas of the park will be utilized.
During his first press conference of the year, he said this year’s festivities will be limited to a smaller venue but, noted, “It does not mean a smaller celebration.”/DGB, WDJ