Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said a decision will have to be made by early January on the transfer of the Negros Occidental provincial government offices to Talisay City, and on whether the Capitol can grant an additional P10,000 bonus to its employees.
Lascon said a decision has to be made on whether the new Provincial Administration Center should be built at Aguinaldo Street in Bacolod City as originally planned or at the 25-hectare property of the provincial government in Talisay City.
Dynamic Builders Inc. that is leasing the site of the old PAC where it will build a commercial complex, in 2018 also won the bid to build the new PAC at Aguinaldo Street.
Lascon said Dynamic Builders is supposed to start construction of the new PAC so a decision has to be made soon on where it will be located.
If they to move the seat of the provincial government to the Talisay site, aside from the new PAC that will house the governor’s office and various other offices, a legislative building will also be built nearby, Lacson said.
The Capitol in Bacolod City will be maintained for official functions, he said.
Meanwhile, the governor said they are studying whether an additional bonus can be given to the provincial government employees on top of the P40,000 already granted.
President Rodrigo Duterte on December 18 signed Administrative Order 37 allowing a P10,000 bonus to government workers as a one-time service recognition incentive.
Lacson said they will have to determine if the Capitol can afford the additional amount and if it will not be in violation of its required salary cap.*