Paglaum Sports Complex to house P450M Cyber Center

BACOLOD CITY ,Philippines   -- The Paglaum Sports Complex will house the proposed P450-million Negros First Cyber Center at the Lacson-Hernaez sides vacated by illegal structures.

The three-storey building will be an IT (Information Technology) project of the provincial government. It will house commercial spaces on the ground floor, call center on the second floor and dormitory for students on the third floor.

Last week, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan unanimously approved a resolution authorizing Marañon to enter into a contract for a loan of P450 million with the Development Bank of the Philippines.

The SP also gave Marañon authority to sign the loan agreement, deed of assignment, promissory note and other related documents. The P450-million loan includes site development and parking space at the Paglaum Sports Complex.

The Cyber Center is expected to provide 9,000 direct jobs, and 27,000 more indirect jobs. Its construction is expected to be finished before the end of this year.

Meanwhile, a portion of the wall of the former building of Negros Occidental Teachers' Federation (NOTF) remains standing at the Paglaum Sports Complex and Provincial Legal Officer Jose Ma. Valencia has ordered it demolished.

Valencia, who is also the chief of staff of Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., said he has directed the Provincial Engineer's Office to demolish the wall.

The Provincial Capitol had allowed the NOTF officials to demolish their own building as they were the ones who requested to do it, he said.

Valencia said he did not expect that the NOTF officials would leave the said portion of the wall undemolished, after they were ordered to demolish the building and relocate to a certain property owned by the provincial government.

He said he received complaints from passersby and residents in the area about the wall being a safety hazard since it can break down and fall on passersby anytime.