By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA

The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) has assured the Bacolod City government of renovation works completion at the Bacolod Public Plaza and the Bacolod City Government Center’s (BCGC) water fountain by September or October this year.

Engineer Amelita Caganda, Tieza construction management department head, said major renovation components at the two venues have already been installed and that construction is progressing smoothly.

“We’re now checking the design of the structure but, nevertheless, the project is smoothly ongoing,” Caganda told city officials in a meeting on June 5.

Earlier, Mayor Greg Gasataya urged Tieza to fast-track the completion of the projects.

Caganda explained that the installation of lighting fixtures at the Heritage Plaza or the public plaza has already been completed.

“We are now in the process of completing the electrical wiring,” Caganda said.

She said they also installed panel boards in the control room while setting up fountainheads is ongoing.

For BCGC’s redevelopment, Caganda said renovation works at the pool area are now in the process.

Minor structural adjustments have been identified and are currently being addressed.

Moreover, Ceballos also noted several electrical requirements that still need to be addressed by Tieza to ensure that the facilities will be fully operational upon completion.

Tieza earlier allocated at least P300 million for the improvements at both sites.

They started the improvements in March 2025.

Of the total amount, P80 million has been allocated for the enhancement of the plaza’s fountains, comfort rooms and lighting fixtures.

At least P220 million is earmarked for the BCGC fountain./MAP, WDJ