• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
An ordinance establishing the Bacolod Waterfront Park, providing for park hours, permissible and prohibited activities, and providing penalties for violations, was passed on first reading by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) Wednesday.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Em Ang, to be known as the Bacolod Waterfront Park Ordinance, said the City Government of Bacolod aims to establish a public park for the free use of its residents and an attraction for tourists to enjoy and relax during their free time or vacation.
Within 90 days upon approval of this ordinance, the City Planning and Development Officer (CPDO) in coordination with the City Engineer (CEO) will design the Waterfront Park and submit the same to the City Mayor for approval subject to the concurrence of the SP. Should the City Mayor or the SP recommend any alteration or modification to the subject design, the CPDO and CEO will be given another 45 days to make the said modifications, it said.
The park may include and not be limited to the following amenities : green space for ball games and track and field activities, benches, gardens and open lawn spaces, wide bay walk, walkways and sandy beach area, fountain/s and waterfalls, tropical rock garden, monuments, children’s playground, and pet park, the ordinance said.
The Waterfront Park will be located on the property of the city in the Bacolod Real Estate and Development Corporation (BREDCO) or in any available property owned by the city near the shoreline, it said.
The ordinance provides for the establishment of a multi-purpose venue (MPV) with special event lighting and VIP seating areas for athletic competitions, and cultural, religious and political events.
It also provides penalties for violation of any provision of the ordinance.
The private sector or any national government agency may donate or install any park features provided that a memorandum of agreement must be signed by the City Mayor with the concurrence of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, subject to existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
The funding for the implementation of the ordinance will be in the amount of P100 million to be taken from any available funds of the city, national government agencies, or any other sources.*
