This Week in Bacolod (June 23 to 29, 2019)

It’s all grey over blue skies this week in the City of Smiles. Since the skies will be covered by clouds, sudden rain in the morning and afternoon may be expected. Expect thunderstorms to occur up until the weekend. To avoid getting soaked in the rain, it is better to stay indoors rather than outdoors. The temperature will range from 31 °C to 32 °C degrees [1].

Since the Negros Occidental Provincial Development Council (PDC) has approved the endorsement of the project’s resolution, the feasibility study on the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridge in Negros and Panay Island may begin [2]. The project will connect the major islands of Panay, Guimaras, and Negros. It will consist of two bridges: the Panay-Guimaras Bridge and the Guimaras-Negros Island Bridge.

The Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges Project is under the study of CCC Highway Consultants Co., Ltd. of the People’s Republic of China. The study has started in November 2018 and will be finished by January 2020.

Travelers can now experience better travel accommodations with the newly renovated passenger terminal at the Reclamation Area in Bacolod City. The Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. (BREDCO) inaugurated the new terminal during the city’s Charter Day celebration last June 18, 2019.

This multi-million port terminal is fully air-conditioned and equipped with an x-ray machine. Seats can accommodate about 1,000 passengers. The newly inaugurated terminal contains a VIP room, prayer room, kids’ playroom, nursing room, and facilities for persons with disability, among others. Free Wi-Fi is also available.

Mr. Romeo Casela, Manager of BREDCO Port said that a new terminal for roll-on-roll-off vessels in the area is set to start its construction. BREDCO was given the authority to reclaim and dredge the city’s foreshore land and construct port and harbor facilities by virtue of City Ordinance 157 series of 1961 [3].

With so many attractions that the Province of Negros Occidental has to offer, visitors just keep coming even during rainy season. This influx of tourists means more jobs for locals in the city. Just recently, 25 tour guides in Negros Occidental got certified through the Regional Tour Guiding Training [4].

Ms. Cristine Mansinares, Provincial Supervising Tourism Operations officer, said that these tour guides are equipped with knowledge and technical skills and are ready to promote the province, region, and the country well.

The Negros Occidental Tourism Division, DOT-Western initiated the training course on tour guiding with the help of Visayas and Tourism Educators and Movers Philippines-Western Visayas.

To keep the Bacolod Esplanade safe and vandalism free, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia pushes the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) to approve the ordinance in regulating the activities at the Esplanade. The ordinance was authored by Councilor Em Ang, Chairperson of the City Council Committee on Tourism.

The Bacolod Esplanade is a half-kilometer open area designed for both the locals’ and tourists’ leisure and wellbeing. It was inaugurated last June 17, 2019.

For more updates and travel tips on Bacolod, visit Yoorekka.