THE Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) of Bacolod approved the request of Mayor Evelio Leonardia for authority to sign the contract between the city government and Jejors Construction for the construction of the proposed MassKara Coliseum worth P800 million.

Ten councilors voted to approve the mayor’s request. They are Councilors Caesar Distrito, Renecito Novero, Em Ang, Elmer Sy, Dindo Ramos, Bartolome Orola, Ana Marie Palermo, Sonya Verdeflor, Ayesha Villaflor, and Lady Gles Pallen.

Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. voted against it while Councilors Cindy Rojas, Claudio Puentevella and Ricardo Tan were on leave.

The MassKara Coliseum is one of the priority projects of the city government. It will be funded by the P1.7-billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

Other priority projects of the city government are the development of Progreso Village Relocation Site worth P350 million; Bacolod City College Site Development and Facilities, P350 million; and the construction of roads and bridges, P200 million.

The winning bidders have already received the notice to proceed with the implementation of the projects.

The Yanson family earlier donated a total of 8.8 hectares to the city government for use as South Public Terminal, museum, and coliseum in Barangay Alijis.