By: Dolly Yasa and Glazyl Masculino
BACOLOD City – The realization of the Bacolod City Esplanade project is a symbol of unity of the local government unit and the national government.
The P37-million Bacolod City Esplanade is now open to the public after its inauguration and turnover Monday night led by lone district Rep. Greg Gasataya and Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Also present were Councilors Em Ang and Bart Orola and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Bacolod Engineering District led by District Engineer Abraham Villaruel, department heads, and Police Col. Henry Biñas, Bacolod City Police director.
“There is no better time to do this than at this moment when we are about to celebrate the first June 18 Charter Day celebration by virtue of R.A. 1148 authored by Gasataya,” Leonardia said during the inauguration of the Esplanade project.
On his part, Gasataya said because of unity with the local government, national government-initiated projects are successfully implemented like the Bacolod Esplanade.
He added that the practical side is that the Bacolod City Government Center has now been extended to people who do their jogging and other activities at the BCGC grounds.
“This is a classic example that when the city officials like the mayor and congressman work together it will be advantageous to the city. It was the solon who facilitated the construction of the facility, “he said.
Gasataya said that for 2019, an additional P40 million was set aside for another floodwall across the Lupit River and hopefully another esplanade project.
District Engineer Abraham Villareal said the Bacolod City Esplanade is the second in Western Visayas next to Iloilo City and is the very first esplanade in Bacolod City.
The bulk of the budget for the esplanade will go to the floodwall to prevent erosion, Villareal said.
COPS DEPLOYED
Meanwhile, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has deployed eight policemen at Bacolod City Esplanade when it was opened to the public on June 17.
Colonel Henry Biñas, BCPO director, said four policemen will be deployed in the morning and another four will be assigned in the evening for security measures.
Biñas said four members of the City Mobile Force Company and four personnel of Police Station 4 will be assigned in the area.
Though there is a small probability for crimes to occur in the area, Biñas said police officers will be assigned there 24 hours.
Biñas said they are more challenged to run after those who might vandalize the park, following the vandalism incident, two weeks ago.
Under City Ordinance No. 534 (Anti-Vandalism Ordinance of 2011), first offense carries a fine of P1,000 and will increase to P3,000 on second offense, and P5,000 with a jail term of one to six months on third offense.
Biñas said they will ensure that the area is safe and convenient to the public.
“We will try to check if there is a need for beat patrol or police bikers to be assigned in the area,” he added.
