The 2020-2021 local revenues of the Negros Occidental provincial government dropped by 40 percent during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Tuesday, April 19.
He attributed the drop in revenues to the closure of the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Murcia that was turned into a COVID-19 healing center and to discounts granted on the lease of Capitol properties.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan granted from 25 to 40 percent discounts on the lease payments of 888 Chinatown and Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City, especially during the lockdowns, so they in turn could lower the rent of their tenants, Diaz said.
But the provincial government has earned P65 million from rent at the Negros First CyberCentre in Bacolod City in the last seven months, he said.
The Mambukal Resort is set to reopen Wednesday, April 20, to day visitors and by May 1 to overnight guests, he said.
“It is time for Negrenses to enjoy summer,” he said, but stressed the need to also continue to observe COVID-19 health protocols.
The old rates at Mambukal will apply until an ordinance raising its fees is approved, Diaz said.
Electronic payments for reservations at the resort, provincial government permits and land taxes will also be operational soon, he added.*