The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region VI hosted a blessing and groundbreaking ceremony of the Negros Occidental Convention Center (NOCC) at Brgy. Guinhalaran, Silay City today, July 11, 2024.

The ceremony opened with a welcome message from Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson, followed by a project briefing by DPWH Regional Director Engr. Sanny Boy Oropel. Engr. Oropel presented the project profile of the NOCC, detailing the 3-hectare land, the two-storey building, and showing the interior and exterior perspectives and a multipurpose building to meet the needs of community and can accommodate 6,200 visitors to host various events.

DPWH Undersecretary for Regional Operations Roberto Bernardo then delivered a message, followed by Congressman Kiko Benitez stating, “ang akon mn lng ya is ipadayon, so kon ano ginsuguran, sige sigehon para matapos…the one stipulation was that it should be at least as nice, if not nicer, than the one in Iloilo. So that was our marching order, and we have tried to abide as much as we can, depending of course on the constraints DPWH had, to ensure that Negros Occidental has another anchor like this that can at least compare and compete with the convention centers in Panay.”

Finally, Mayor Albee Benitez gave a speech, stating, “This is probably more than six years in the making. It began when I visited the launching of the Convention Center in Iloilo and was a guest speaker at one of the events there. So sabi ko pwede na ring lagyan ang Negros and so the ball started rolling. It was Congressman Benitez who started this project, and it will be Congressman Benitez who will finish it…. We are very happy that this will probably change the landscape of this area.”

The event was attended by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, Barangay Guinhalaran officials, Silay City councilors, and other guests.
(Source: Bacolod City Public Information Office)