Projects totaling P33.3 million were inaugurated by Bacolod City officials led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran on Friday, June 24.
Inaugurated were the P9.4 million Rizal Elementary School park, P6.5 million improved promenade at the Negros Occidental High School and the P11.9 million Zen garden and children’s playground at the back of the Bacolod City Government Center, a press release said.
The mayor also joined the Balay Pasilungan inauguration by Soroptimist International Bacolod.
The newly-built Balay Pasilungan inside the Bacolod City Police Office compound is a project of the Soroptimist International of Bacolod made possible through the help of Malcolm Merry, who donated P5.5 million for the project.
Balay Pasilungan, which means “shelter home”, offers refuge to street children living in highly- dangerous situations, exposed to abuse and exploitation and deprived of parental guidance and opportunities, the press release said.
In Bacolod, Balay Pasilungan is a home for abused women and girls where they are taught awareness, it added.
Ma. Cecilia Cruz-Smith is president of SIB Bacolod.*