BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia expressed optimism that the city can adopt an urban masterplan in due time.
Leonardia held exploratory talks on the project with world-renowned urban planner Felino “Jun” Palafox and his senior associates during their meeting in Manila last week.
The mayor was joined by Representative Greg Gasataya, who expressed his full support for the proposal. Also present were City Administrator John Orola and City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan.
“We explored further the possibility of drawing up an urban master plan and we were able to identify some benchmarks,” the mayor said.
Leonardia said they have not closed any deal yet, given the yet-to-be-determined amount of professional fee for the study of urban masterplan.
“Besides, it might still go through a bidding process,” the mayor said.
“May I emphasize that whatever may develop, we will strictly follow procedures, technicalities, and legalities. And while we know how valuable and how much it could be, we are not yet ready with our budget,” he added.
Leonardia said it was the Office of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez that facilitated their meeting with Palafox.
Upon the request of Leonardia, Alvarez had expressed willingness to help find the sources of financing for the hiring of a master urban planner for Bacolod.
Leonardia said he is thankful to Alvarez for facilitating his connection with Palafox, thus reviving the dream of having a masterplan for the urban development of Bacolod.
“We will be relaying to Speaker Alvarez what transpired in the meeting with Jun Palafox. We hope that step by step, we will go nearer to that dream. But at least you know there is that direction and that desire to come up with a masterplan for Bacolod,” the mayor added.