THE provincial government awaits the finalization of the construction of a new provincial Capitol building in Talisay City.
Lawyer Rayfrando Diaz II, provincial administrator, said once the construction is finalized, that will be the time the province will also decide what to do with the old Provincial Administration Center (PAC).
Diaz said the contractor Dynamic Builders and Construction Co. has asked for a 30 days extension. This is the construction firm's reply to the letter of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson regarding the transfer of the construction of the new capitol building to Talisay City from PAC, which was supposed to be the original plan.
The mayors of Negros Occidental have unanimously agreed to the transfer of the provincial Capitol offices from Bacolod City to Talisay City.
The nearly P1-billion new PAC will be built on a 25-hectare property owned by the province along the Bacolod Silay Airport Access Road in Talisay.
The Association of Chief Executives of Negros Occidental has also passed a resolution supporting the transfer of the provincial Capitol offices to Talisay.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan also posed no objection to the plan.
"The negotiation is ongoing. The contractor has asked for extension knowing that this is a big project and a legacy as well," Diaz said.
He also explained that there could be revisions to the perspective of the building from the original one considering the sprawling area in Talisay City.
"This is a design and build project and the contractor will make the perspective," Diaz further said.
He said the seat of power of the Province will still be at the Old Provincial Capitol building and that the Governor's Office shall be retained where Diplomatic guests will still be received here.
The Capitol building in Talisay City will be a workplace for Capitol offices and that there will also be a Governor's Office at the new site.
Before the end of this month, the contractor will hopefully make a reply to the governor with the new construction plan, Diaz added.
