THE Negros Occidental provincial government has tightened security inside the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan in preparation for the planned rehabilitation works which will start in 2020.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said the park’s security division now limits the number of people going inside the premises, with the exemption being made only during office hours.
All vehicles heading inside the premises are also now being required to be registered at night.
A perimeter wall is also being planned to be constructed near a creek situated at the far side of the park. They have also cleared all illegal structures inside the premises.
Last week, Diaz said the rehabilitation will begin with repairing the facility’s track.
In addition, a parking area will also be constructed inside the compound.
He noted that local government units (LGUs) will not be allowed to rent out their cottages and, instead, an area will be provided where they can serve food during the annual Panaad sa Negros Festival.
“LGU cottages will be exclusively for the display of products,” Diaz said.
Diaz added that the rehabilitation project is part of the province’s preparations for the 2023 Regional Athletics Meet and Palarong Pambansa, which will be hosted by Negros Occidental.
Meanwhile, the provincial official said private organizations can still use the facilities but there is a need to balance the needs of private interests and public interests.
“The provincial government should have priority,” Diaz stated.