THE mayor of Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental on Thursday, August 10, received from Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. the P20-million check for the purchase of a resettlement area for the affected households of the Southern Negros Industrial Estate in Barangay Bacuyangan.
The check was turned over by the governor to town Mayor Ernesto Estrao in the presence of other municipal officials at the Provincial Capitol. The amount was sourced from the 20 percent Development Fund of the Provincial Government.
Estrao said the Southern Negros Industrial Estate would be a path for progress and development not only in Hinobaan, but in the province as well.
Japanese firm Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Inc. has proposed to set up a ship recycling facility in Barangay Bacuyangan.
Estrao said the plan is to provide each affected family with a 200 square-meter lot.
The municipal government is proposing to buy a 14-hectare land worth P14.3 million with the development cost of P5.6 million, he added.
Estrao said there is still resistance to the project, but said they just need to be clarified.
Majority of the town councilors are supporting the project, he said.
In July, the Provincial Board approved an amended ordinance creating the Negros Occidental Provincial Industrial Estate Office to supervise the Southern Negros Industrial Estate and cater to locators planning to invest in the southern part of the province.