GOVERNOR Eugenio Jose Lacson said Thursday, August 22, 2019, that the Provincial Government is open to the idea of privatization of the Mambukal Resort.

"I won't say no. I have that option open," Lacson said when asked of the possibility of privatizing the Mambukal Resort, which is owned and managed by the Provincial Government.

Lacson said at this point, they are trying to improve the income of Mambukal Resort under the Economic Enterprise and Development Department.

As to the Mambukal Convention Hotel, Lacson said they are waiting for the opinion of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers if the structure is already okay.

The portion of the hotel collapsed on January 8 after it was reportedly hit by the branch of a tree.

Lacson said they want to make sure that the hotel is safe.

The Provincial Government under the previous administration has allocated P84 million for the construction of the Mambukal Convention Hotel and repair of the resort's Tourist Lodge.

The contractor, Alfies Construction, owned by Elwin Javelosa, has shouldered the cost of the damaged section, since the hotel was still under construction when the incident happened and was not yet turned over to the provincial government.

It has not operated until now.