New Bacolod City Hall Set for Completion in 18 Months, Project Costs Estimated to Increase

BACOLOD CITY – The new Bacolod City Hall, projected at an initial cost of nearly PHP223 million, is slated for completion within 18 months following Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony. Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who presided over the event at the historical site on Luzuriaga and Araneta Streets, outlined plans for a building intended to be both legacy and iconic.

According to Philippines News Agency, the original budget of PHP220 million is anticipated to fall short by PHP80 million to PHP100 million due to the ambitious design features intended to make the new City Hall a landmark. The City Engineer’s Office is currently calculating the additional funds required for the project, which is part of a broader PHP4.4 billion loan package the city secured from the Development Bank of the Philippines.

The new structure, replacing a 61-year-old building, will feature a four-story layout with updated, larger office spaces to enhance public service capabilities. It will include essential offices such as the City Disaster Risk Reduction Office, City Veterinary Office, and others, alongside a 55-vehicle parking lot. An artistic highlight will be a 10x10x4-meter mural created by local artists, representing Bacolod’s history, which Mayor Benitez described as a key element of the legacy project.

The City Mayor’s Office and City Council, currently operating out of the Bacolod City Government Center built in 2007, will also relocate to the new City Hall, reinforcing its status as the city government’s hub. The site, historically significant, was once the residence of Don Jose Ruiz de Luzuriaga and later the seat of the provincial government before becoming the City Hall.