THE BACOLOD City Council authorized Mayor Evelio Leonardia to explore and negotiate with the national government to provide loan for the six flagships projects of the city.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairperson of the City council committee on finance, said they approved the request of the mayor during the regular session Wednesday, May 23 to negotiate with the Department of Finance (DoF) – Mediumterm Development Fund (MDF) Financial Assistance or any government banking or financial institution to fund the city’s projects.
He said these projects are the development of the Progreso Village Relocation Site (PVRS) and the Bacolod City College; the construction of Bacolod MassKara Coliseum; construction of roads and bridges; establishment of the South and East Transportation Terminals; and the Public Safety ICT Solution which includes traffic surveillance; virtual checkpoints; and electric police (E-Police) that is for auto-recognition of red light and licensed plates.
Distrito noted that the flagship projects in which the city will negotiate for funding, and one of the projects are the establishment of the east and south terminal.
“It will not only reduce the traffic in downtown area but will also create growth area in the east and south of Bacolod City,” Distrito said.
He said the Bacolod City MassKara Coliseum, as one of the projects, will not only be an iconic structure in the silent reclamation area, but will create another growth area and spur development in the city’s property but will also be another landmark for Bacolod and will promote sports, tourism, and culture.
Distrito added PVRS development project will answer the problem of informal settlers to have a decent and competitive community and housing area because of this development projects like roads, drainage, water system, electricity and other facilities.
The Public Safety ICT Solution project will cater traffic surveillance, crime prevention and emergency, and disaster response by putting up CCTV in all major areas in the city.
The Roads and Bridges will widen city roads, repair damaged city roads and widen our bridges.
The development of the Bacolod City College will answer the need to expand and provide bigger areas, classrooms, and facilities to respond to the city’s quest of providing quality and competitive education to the poor Bacolod students, Distrito added.
“Once these will materialize, they will certainly change the landscape of Bacolod and will create economic development and more growth areas,” Distrito said.
He said this is just an exploration of finding funds for these major projects, and in order to be transparent, the authority covers the national government or government-owned banking or financial institutions.