THE governor of Negros Occidental on Thursday, July 20, said the Provincial Government will continue with its acquisitions of the properties in the cities of Bacolod and Talisay.
The transfer of titles in the name of the province could take place next week, Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. added.
Marañon said the Capitol is acquiring 25 hectares for mixed use in Talisay at P900 per square meter for a total of P225 million.
In Bacolod, being purchased is 40 hectares in Barangay Mansilingan amounting to P260 million at P650 per square meter for the residential subdivision of Capitol employees.
The governor said the prices are reasonable and even lower, and will almost double if the province will sell the properties at the present rate.
The transfer of titles is being processed with the Register of Deeds since all the documents have already been approved by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, he added.
Marañon said the funds used for the land purchases were sourced from the proceeds of the sale and lease of Capitol properties to Ayala Land Inc.
Moreover, the governor said the Commission on Audit report, which directed the Provincial government to demand for the return of the downpayment from the landowners, mentioned by Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is an old one.
Aircraft acquisition
Meanwhile, Marañon said he is reconsidering the plan to purchase an aircraft, a six-seater Cessna 206, in respect to the opinion of the vice governor.
On Wednesday, July 19, Lacson said he hopes the governor will reconsider his decision since the fund can still be used for other needs of the province.
The P50-million budget for aircraft acquisition was included in the 2017 General Fund Supplemental Budget No. 2 approved by the Provincial Board earlier this year.