BACOLOD CITY — The proposed tourism infrastructure projects of the City of Bacolod, amounting to PHP667 million, were approved by the Regional Development Council (RDC) during its second-quarter regular meeting here Thursday.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia presented the projects as part of the one-day meeting presided by Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao, chairperson of RDC-6 (Western Visayas), held at the Seda Hotel here.
The projects include three reconstruction and improvement of the access roads leading to declared tourist destinations — from Araneta St. to the Palmas del Mar Resort worth PHP70 million; BS Aquino Drive going to Murcia
Proper and Mambukal Resort, PHP347 million; and Narra St. leading to Sta. Fe Resort, PHP140 million.
Another project, the construction/improvement of the Arceo-Alegria Road leading to the Murcia Proper gateway to various mountain resorts, amounts to PHP110 million.
Leonardia underscored the need to project a positive image for Bacolod to further attract investors. The mayor said he also wants Western Visayas to know that Bacolod is growing rapidly.
Cadiao, who again welcomed the reintegration of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City into Western Visayas after the abolition of the Negros Island Region, said RDC-6 will endorse more project proposals for the province for 2019.
“I said, let us fast-track the projects of Negros,” she said.
In fact, Cadiao pointed out, under the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” agenda, Negros Occidental will have the bulk of the allocation.
“That is good for you. We’re happy to have Negros Occidental back to Region 6,” she added.
Cadiao said RDC-6 will also work to secure additional funds for the improvement of the Bacolod-Silay Airport after the Department of Tourism allocated only PHP90 million for the project.
“We questioned the very small amount and we will request for additional funding,” she added. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
