Capitol clarifies proposed private-run scheme for LGU pavilions

THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental clarified on April 24 the proposed plan to get the services of a private management group to run the pavilions of the local government units (LGUs) at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

Ma. Lina Sanogal, provincial planning, and development coordinator, said the proposal is for a general type of services like maintenance of cleanliness, landscaping, and securing the pavilions as well as electrical and plumbing services.

Sanogal, also the Panaad Festival executive director, pointed out that the Capitol will be hands-off on the overall decision making, like the exterior and interior designs of the LGU pavilions and what products to be sold or exhibits to display. “It is still the responsibility of the LGU.”

She said the proposal will still be discussed with the mayors if they are amenable to the plan.

There are some mayors who told her before it was hard for them to hire people for this purpose, she added.

The proposal is relative to the plan of the Provincial Government to make Panaad Festival a whole year round tourist destination to complement the other permanent structures like the organic market, the bamboo village, the livestock center and the impending transfer of the zoo and facilities of the Negros Forest Foundation.