The construction of an about P300 million new “iconic” Bacolod City Hall at Luzuriaga and Araneta streets in downtown Bacolod is expected to be completed in 18 months.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who led its groundbreaking rites on Tuesday, August 6, said the new Bacolod City Hall at the historic site will remain the seat of government of Bacolod.
The mayor will still have an office in it “to symbolize that the seat of government is in this location,” he said during the groundbreaking rites.
The new structure, which will embrace Bacolod’s history and use modern technology, will replace the old city hall that was built on the site where the residence of Don Jose Ruiz de Luzuriaga once stood.
The city hall property was donated to Bacolod by the Luzuriaga family.
The original appropriation for the new city hall was P222 million, but will run short with an upgrade on the design “to make it a legacy and iconic building”, Benitez said.
It will be short by about P80 to P100 million, so he has discussed with the Development Bank of the Philippines the realignment of funds from some projects that will not push through that were covered by the city’s P4.4 billion loan package, Benitez said.
They added a roof and a third and fourth floor above the Fountain of Justice. which will be preserved in front of the city hall, to maximize the use of space, he said.
The new city hall being a legacy project is envisioned to have a 10-meter high by 4-meter wide art piece in front that will depict the history of Bacolod.
“We will engage a group of local artists to create the iconic art piece” that will be a walk-through of the history of Bacolod, Benitez said.
The building will be modern with straight lines that can be appreciated 50 to 80 years from now, and will make Bacolonons proud, he said.
The new four-story city hall will also have a 55-vehicle underground parking lot.
It new city hall is targeted to be completed in a year and half, he said.
“Definitely I will have an office, the mayor will have an office here,” he said.
When asked if he will hold his press conferences at the new city hall during his term, Benitez said “pwede man (that is possible).
The mayor currently holds office at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC).
The new City Hall is expected to house city offices that are not located at the BCGC .*