Demolition in Paglaum almost complete

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The ongoing demolition of illegal structures at the Paglaum Sports Complex in this city is already 98 percent complete, and is expected to be finished by May 15, Chito Magalona, chief security and head of the demolition team, disclosed Monday.

Magalona said he personally oversees the demolition and dismantling of the illegal structures at the sports complex, and so far there had been no resistance from the occupants.

Around 40 occupants along Hernaez St. had already voluntarily demolished their structures, he said.

After the demolition works along Hernaez St. the team will proceed to the Lacson stretch of the sports complex to also dismantle illegal structures there, he added.

However, Magalona said, there are only a few structures that have to be dismantled on the side of sports complex facing Lacson St. He said only the pumping station of the Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA) will be spared from the demolition along Hernaez St.

Last week, BACIWA general manager Juliana Caron met with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. to appeal that their pumping station located at the sports complex facing Hernaez St. be spared from demolition since it supplies water to downtown area.

Marañon said there is a possibility that the pumping station will be spared from demolition since there are new technologies to construct tall buildings with rollers.

Meanwhile, Magalona revealed that by May 15, the provincial government will cordon off the area along Hernaez and Lacson Sts. in preparation for the construction of a three-storey building there.

Marañon said the building will be consist of commercial spaces on the ground floor, call center on the second floor and dormitory for students on the third floor.

Moreover, the governor stressed that the Negros Occidental Teachers’ Federation (NOTF) building, located at the junction of Hernaez and Lacson streets of the sports complex, will also be demolished. – THE FREEMAN