THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Western Visayas is scheduled to turn over to the City Government the Esplanade project from Lupit Bridge along the Circumferential Road going to the Bacolod Government Center (BGC).
Bacolod City Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya said the Esplanade project is almost done and it will be turned over to the City Government to ensure that there will be no illegal settlers in the area.
He said the Esplanade project was constructed with a flood wall, benches, railings, lighting facilities and blocks to make the area more attractive.
The half-kilometer Esplanade project has a total budget of P37 million.
Gasataya said the DPWH will also construct another flood wall on the right side of the river.
He said that this is the first Esplanade project in Bacolod.
Esplanade is a long open, level area, typically beside sea or river, along which people may walk for pleasure.
District Engineer Abraham Villareal earlier said that this Esplanade project is also similar to the Esplanade in Iloilo City.
“The Esplanade project was visualized by DPWH Secretary Mark Villar since we have a legal easement of our riverbanks that can be developed into a place where people can promenade and serve as park, and it was supported by the city officials,” he said.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia earlier said that they will make a memorandum of agreement with the landowner to ensure that there will be no illegal settlers in the Esplanade area.
He said he also talked with real-estate developer Megaworld to construct an Esplanade within their property near the BGC. (MAP)