Flag-raising ceremony at NGC grounds resumes after 2 years
Employees, department heads and elected officials turned the Bacolod City Government Center into a sea of red as Monday flag-raising ceremony resumed for the first time in two years at the New Government Center (NGC) grounds.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who was apparently pleased with the turnout of the first flag-raising activity after more than 24 months, thanked the Emergency Operations Center-Task Force for continuing its campaign to vaccinate residents despite the deescalation of the city to Alert Level 1.
“Bacolod is one of the 39 LGUs in the first batch of cities and towns in the whole Philippines out of more than 2,000 that were downgraded to Alert Level 1. If we are in school, Bacolod is a Valedictorian, a student with the highest honors. We did things right and the city government has been hitting its targets,” Leonardia said.
The IATF disclosed on April 28 that Bacolod is one of 14 areas in the Visayas to remain under Alert Level 1 from May 1 to 15, 2022.
The mayor also expressed his gratitude to Dr. Andrew Tan, chairman and chief executive officer of Megaworld Corporation, for supporting the city’s economic recovery program.
The property giant increased its investments from P35 billion to P45 billion in Bacolod and Talisay through a 10-year spread.
“When the NGC was first constructed, there were no establishments around us. But look at the area now. Everything is growing and we are at the very center,” he added.
Megaworld opened on April 29 the Upper East Avenue, an eight-lane, 1-kilometer thoroughfare inside the Megaworld’s mixed-use township.
The Upper East Avenue connects Lopez Jaena Street and Circumferential Road./