Negros coop bank gets 1-year extension on Capitol lot use

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial government gave the Negros Cooperative Bank a one year-extension for the use of their space at the provincial capitol lagoon.

This, after Lacson granted the request of the NCB officials headed by Nestor Bayona, a consultant of former governor Alfredo Maranon Jr.

Earlier, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan granted the authority requested by Lacson to demand the ejectment of NCB which was said to have been occupying the 526-square area lot at the capitol lagoon sans paying its electric bills for 12 years.

The resolution authorized Lacson to demand that the NCB vacate and terminate its deed of usufruct with the provincial government allegedly due to breach of contract.

Lacson said that provincial government is planning to convert the area into a coffee shop.

The governor also said that they will help in looking for a private property that NCB can lease as the provincial government cannot provide a space for them.

The Capitol will also provide a sub-meter for NCB so it can start paying its electric bills until December 2020.

Lacson said that as far as the electric bills are concerned, the provincial government will no longer require NCB to pay.

Bayona said the NCB was a project of the province through the late governor Joseph Marañon, who told them to establish this bank to be owned by Cooperative Primaries and “to enjoy free provincial facilities in line with the law on government support for cooperatives.”

The primary objective of the NCB is to provide the cooperatives easier access to credit at lower interest.

Bayona also said that all profits of the bank go to the 47 member-coop primaries in the province, from San Carlos to Sipalay cities.