Talisay City mayor welcomes transfer of capitol

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Mayor Neil Lizares on Wednesday welcomed the proposal to transfer the seat of power of the provincial government from this city to Talisay City.

“In behalf of the City of Talisay, I would like to personally thank the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental under the leadership of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson for the trust and confidence in considering our City as the new home of the offices of the Provincial Capitol Government,” Lizares said.

Earlier, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson confirmed that they are considering transferring the capitol to a 25-hectare property it purchased several years ago in Brgy. Matab-ang, Talisay City.

“I just realized that, if we continue building the new provincial government office here in the area of North Capitol Road, it will be so crowded already,” Lacson said.

He said he anticipates the problem of parking at the old capitol which is located behind a commercial building.

As planned by the previous administration, the new Provincial Administration Center (PAC) will be constructed on a 16,000 square-meter lot, in front of the National Bureau of Investigation building, with a P900-million budget, the governor said.

Lacson said the idea of transferring the seat of the provincial government to Talisay City came to fore last year and some local chief executives expressed support to it.

The plan was also entertained during the administration of the late Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr, he added.

Lacson said the present capitol site has no more areas for growth.

But the 25-hectare property purchased by the provincial government in Talisay City can also be used by government regional offices, he added.

As to the budget, Lacson said they will use the existing P900 million allotted for the new PAC and will ask the contractor and the Provincial Engineering Office to compute the additional expenses if it will be built in the new site.

Asked on how soon the transfer of the provincial government seat to Talisay City will be, Lacson replied, “If we can decide to really move, we will start next year.”

But the governor also said he will also consult the business sector about the plan.

Lacson though said that the old provincial Capitol building will be maintained for special functions.

“I am sure this will be put to good use,” the governor said.