• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The groundbreaking and blessing of the 8.7 hectare Bacolod Tree Park in Barangay Alangilan, Bacolod City on September 3 was led by Bacolod Representative Greg Gasataya, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Almana Construction and Development Corp. president Ritchie Neil Corpus, and members of the city council.
A project signing was also held by the city officials with the department heads and barangay officials.
The development of the design and build project will be undertaken by the Almana Construction and Development Corporation headed by Corpus.
The city government has earmarked about P47 million for the first phase of the project to be funded from the P4.4 billion loan of the city with the Development Bank of the Philippines.
ACDC presented the total masterplan of the Bacolod Tree Park during a program, featuring numerous amenities such as a glamping area, camping site, mobile camp site, bath house, grill station, playground, tree museum, and biodiversity area, among others.
Benitez said they hope to accelerate the development of the project because they have been lobbying with the Department of Tourism to assist the city in funding the master plan. They believe that the place will become a tourist destination, especially for the locals.
The mayor said he has discussed with Familiaran and members of the City Council the creation of an economic enterprise that will manage the park. They also plan to charge a minimum entrance fee for the maintenance of the facility.
Bacolod Councilor Em Ang, author of the Tree Park Ordinance, said that “As an advocate for environmental causes for most of my life, I am very happy that the Bacolod Tree Park has finally been realized.”*
