The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority has moved the contractual completion date of the redevelopment of the Bacolod City Government Center and Heritage Plaza to Jan. 27, 2027, following several work suspensions, weather delays and additional work that also raised the project cost to P328.09 million.
TIEZA, however, said it and the contractor are still exerting efforts to complete the project within 2026.
In a Sept. 30 letter to Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya, TIEZA said the project remains ongoing and cited work suspensions, inclement weather, additional work and approved variation orders as reasons for the changes in its implementation schedule.
The letter was received by the mayor’s office on Oct. 5.
The clarification came as the redevelopment, particularly of the Bacolod Public Plaza component, drew criticism from city officials over delays and deficiencies observed shortly before the MassKara Festival.
Gasataya earlier said the city would not formally accept the public plaza project until deficiencies were corrected and the redevelopment was fully completed.
An inspection by the city identified concerns involving drainage, surface ponding, fountain components, lighting, unfinished installations, manholes and control systems.
Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also backed the mayor’s position following a joint inspection, saying the actual output did not fully match the design earlier presented for the plaza.
FROM P299.8M TO P328M
TIEZA said the original contract cost was P299,863,888.03.
Its official contract records show that the project was awarded to Amigo Entertainment Technologies Inc. at the same contract price, while the notice to proceed was received on Feb. 19, 2025.
Three variation orders subsequently added P28,226,563.48 to the project, bringing the revised contract cost to P328,090,451.51.
The first variation order amounted to P4,848,825.27 for a revised board-up fence.
Another P7,006,882.81 was added for works arising from typhoon damage.
The third and largest variation order amounted to P16,370,855.40 for additional works involving the upgrading of the power supply, a control room system at the government center, soft and hard landscaping, and the revised structural design of the NGC fountain.
TIEZA said some additional project requirements were incorporated through the variation orders, including work that had originally been contemplated as counterpart obligations of the Bacolod City government.
The agency said these additions increased both the scope and duration of the project.
DEADLINE REPEATEDLY EXTENDED
TIEZA’s timeline showed that the project commenced on Feb. 19, 2025, with an original completion date of Nov. 16, 2025.
Work was suspended on March 27, 2025, because of issues involving the Environmental Compliance Certificate, before partially resuming on July 14.
Another suspension followed on Oct. 1 because of the 2025 MassKara Festival, with work resuming on Nov. 20.
The target completion date was subsequently moved to April 25, 2026.
A 45-calendar-day extension related to a variation order moved the target to June 9, while another 69-day extension because of inclement weather pushed it to Aug. 17.
Following another partial work suspension on June 3 and resumption on July 21, the target was later adjusted to Nov. 4.
A third extension of 60 calendar days for additional work and another variation order eventually resulted in the current contractual completion date of Jan. 27, 2027.
The revised timeline contrasts with TIEZA’s public commitment in June that the Bacolod Government Center and Heritage Plaza redevelopment would be completed by September or October 2026.
At the time, TIEZA Construction Management Department manager Amelita Caganda said major components had already been installed and works were progressing.
Despite the January 2027 contractual deadline, TIEZA said in its latest letter that it and the contractor are committed to mobilizing the resources necessary to finish within the current calendar year.
TIEZA CITES CITY’S APPROVAL DELAYS
TIEZA also pointed to delays in the review and approval of some technical revisions by the Bacolod City government.
The agency specifically cited revised structural details, concrete floor topping works and mural finishing at the NGC fountain.
TIEZA said affected activities could not proceed without the necessary technical direction and approval and consequently had to be deferred and rescheduled, affecting succeeding works.
It added that it continuously coordinated with concerned city offices to secure the needed approvals while complying with the city’s requirements.
Earlier in June, the city had already raised concerns about the lengthy implementation period, while TIEZA officials acknowledged that structural design reviews and electrical requirements were among the matters still being addressed.
CORRECTIVE WORK ORDERED
TIEZA said it has taken note of the findings contained in Gasataya’s letter and the accompanying city inspection reports and is treating them as matters requiring immediate action.
The contractor and project team will be directed to prioritize corrective and completion works involving drainage, surface ponding, lighting, unfinished installations, manholes, control systems and other identified deficiencies, it said.
Gasataya had earlier described the condition of the public plaza as unacceptable following his inspection and asked TIEZA to compel its contractor to undertake corrective measures.
He also said the city would withhold acceptance of the project until the deficiencies were resolved.
Despite the unfinished redevelopment, portions of the public plaza have been opened for MassKara activities while areas where work continues remain restricted.
TIEZA and city officials have agreed that restoration and remaining work at the plaza that could interfere with the festival will continue after the MassKara.
TIEZA said it remains committed to completing the redevelopment according to approved plans, specifications and applicable standards, and welcomed another joint inspection with the city to verify the completion of corrective measures and remaining work.
As of press time, the city government is yet to release a statement in response to TIEZA’s letter.*