At Paglaum Sports Complex, Teachers' building to be demolished

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Despite repeated appeals of the Negros Occidental Teachers' Federation (NOTF) officials to Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. last week, the NOTF Building illegally put up at the Paglaum Sports Complex will be included in the demolition.

Provincial Legal Officer Jose Ma. Valencia said the teachers' building is situated in the middle of the Lacson and Hernaez streets along the side of the sports complex, thus it will impede with the construction of a commercial building the provincial government will build in the area.

Valencia said the Capitol has given NOTF enough time to vacate the area–with its building the last on the list to be demolished–and donated a 1,000–square meter lot in Brgy. 39 of the city as relocation site for the NOTF to build its own building.

Valencia, who met with NOTF officials last week, said the teachers are now transferring their facilities, after they agreed that NOTF will transfer to relocation site where some national government offices are also located.

The NOTF officials and members are asking that the said property will be officially donated to them by the provincial government so that they could construct a permanent structure in the area.

"I see no problem about the donation since they are a public school teachers' federation, and probably we could easily justify that," Valencia said.

So far, more than 11 structures at the sports complex have been demolished, and the owners of these structures have voluntarily vacated the site, he said, adding that demolition is nearing completion, and construction of a new commercial building could start, he said.

A few occupants have appealed for more time since their structures are made of concrete materials and they want to still make use of whatever can be salvaged of their structures, he said.

Another concern is the removal in the sports complex area a well of the Bacolod City Water District. He said he will ask BACIWA officials to transfer their well from Paglaum because it will also impede the new building.

Valencia said the governor wanted the commercial building to cover the whole area of the complex so that it will be bigger and more viable. – THE FREEMAN