Known for its world-class MassKara Festival celebrated every October, Bacolod City is optimistic about achieving its goal of becoming a “super city.”
The local government unit describes “super city” as “a global city with a diversified economy, skilled human resources, and a model for green development and good governance.”
Bacolod, as the only highly urbanized city in the newly formed Negros Island Region, is positioned to be the top driver for the development of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
Multibillion-peso infrastructure projects are now on the rise in the form of mid- and high-rise mixed-use buildings, townships, hotel chains, business process outsourcing buildings, and other lifestyle complexes that indicate strong investor confidence in Bacolod’s economic potential.
The local government spearheads several infrastructure projects that would be landmarks symbolic of Bacolod.
New City Hall Building
The 61-year-old Old Bacolod City Hall Building located on Araneta-Luzuriaga Streets will undergo rehabilitation to bring efficient government services closer to the Bacolodnons.
The new four-story building will accommodate various government offices, such as the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the City Veterinary Office, the Commission on Audit, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the General Services Office, the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs Office, and the PWD Office.
It will have 55-slot parking spaces.
New technologies will be incorporated into the rehabilitation that will result in another iconic building – a more modern and inclusive hub meant to serve the needs of residents and for generations to come.
The Old Bacolod City Hall housed the seat of the city government for decades before its main offices transferred to the Bacolod City Government Center.
Manokan Country
Known for its famous smoke-grilled chicken, the iconic Manokan Country will enter redevelopment through public-private partnerships with the city government.
The P4-billion rehabilitation of the Manokan Country will prepare the same site with a modern, sustainable structure while retaining its colorful vibe that locals know as vibrant, bustling with happy smiles and a place for good food and camaraderie.
The Manokan Country, home of Bacolod’s authentic chicken inasal, since 1983, is a city landmark that has achieved iconic status for decades.
It has been a must-visit destination for foodies looking to try authentic chicken inasal.
Bacolod Tree and Eco Park
The soon-to-rise 8.7-hectare Bacolod Tree and Eco Park in Barangay Alangilan is being developed to become a tourist attraction and an economic enterprise at the same time.
The project has an estimated amount of P47 million, and it will serve as a place for recreation which the public can freely visit to spend time together with family and friends.
The tree park will also feature numerous amenities which the public can enjoy, such as a jogging/walking trail, an airsoft arena, children’s playground, reception hall, lagoon (cottage and gazebo), and a picnic grove, among many others.
The initial phase of the development will include improvement of the entrance and construction of the picnic grove and the glamping area.
Bacolod City Health Complex
The soon-to-rise Bacolod City Health Complex in Barangay 20 is part of the local government’s vision to provide better health care services to the Bacolodnons, emphasizing the importance of health services, while expanding the facility’s capacity and additional services.
The P219-million complex will cover 4,683 square meters and feature two four-story buildings.
The first building will have a floor area of 1,600 square meters, while the other one will cover 3,073 square meters.
Bacolod City General Hospital
The proposed Bacolod City General Hospital located in Barangay Vista Alegre will serve as a state-of-the-art healthcare facility in the city.
The 127-bed facility will feature various amenities, such as a pharmacy, OB-Gyne, pediatrics, surgery, internal medicine departments, outpatient services, emergency room, dental clinic, operating theater, chapel, intensive care unit, and diagnostic lab.
The completion of a substantial portion of this project is expected by 2025.
Bacolod MassKara Coliseum
The site for the P163-million Bacolod MassKara Coliseum now has perimeters along Alijis Circumferential Road with the backdrop of the Canlandog Murcia-Silay mountains.
The two structures, which will each have two stories, will include a multipurpose museum and an 800-seater amphitheater.
The coliseum will be air-conditioned and will seat more or less 10,000 people.
With this infrastructure and development, set to be iconic landmarks for generations once completed, Bacolod is on its way to becoming the super city it intends to be./WDJ