The transfer of the seat of government of Negros Occidental from Bacolod City to Talisay City is being considered, Alfredo Benitez, provincial consultant on economic affairs, said today, December 14.
“It’s being planned right now. It’s probably in the very early stages of discussion. I think it’s a good direction to pursue,” Benitez said.
It is hard for the seat of the provincial government to be located in a jurisdiction it does not control, he said.
Bacolod City is a highly urbanized city that is not under the jurisdiction of the Negros Occidental provincial government.
Benitez also said it would be cheaper for the provincial government to build a new building for its offices in a vacant lot than to spend for demolition.
Benitez, however, said he is not sure what area in Talisay will be considered for the site of the new seat of the provincial government.
Meanwhile, Benitez said the Negros Property Management and Development Corp. (NPMDC) has agreed to return the management of the Negros First CyberCentre in Bacolod City back to the provincial government, it is just a matter of signing the documents.
The governor had designated Benitez to lead the negotiations for the provincial government’s take over.*