The demolition of the Negros Occidental Provincial Administration Center at the North Capitol Road in Bacolod City has temporarily halted pending compliance with Commission on Audit requirements, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said today, February 11.
Dynamic Builders and Construction Company signed an agreement with the provincial government during the term of the late governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. to lease the 6,485-square meter property where the PAC is located.
Under the agreement, Dynamic Builders would demolish the PAC and adjacent buildings to make way for the construction of a P1.4 billion nine-storey commercial center that would include a hotel, shopping mall, and business process outsourcing facility.
Dynamics Builders that has begun the demolition has halted its operations while the provincial government complies with the COA requirements, Diaz said.
The COA is asking for documents to prove that the PAC is up for demolition and disposal, Diaz said.
A joint team with the COA will also inspect the site, he said.
Diaz pointed out that the building is in a state of disrepair with a leaking roof and can meet the requirements sought by COA.
The provincial government is eyeing the construction of a new PAC on its property along the Bacolod Silay Airport Access Road in Talisay City.
TOURISM HUB
Meanwhile, Diaz said the provincial government is creating a tourism hub in the Capitol area in Bacolod City.
The former Negros Cooperative Bank at the Capitol Lagoon Park will house the Provincial Tourism Office and Mambukal Resort Office, he said.
The CAPGEM cooperative will also put up a coffee shop in the building for tourists and Capitol employees, and will sell Negros products, he said.
Diaz said from their tourists can visit the Talarak Foundation Biodiversity Conservation Center at the South Capitol Road to see animals endemic to Negros and the Association of Negros Producers showroom that will be built in the area, and walk on to the Negros Museum.*