The proposal to create the Negros Investment Corp. is in the conceptual stage, and its viability is still being studied, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said yesterday.

Board Member Salvador Escalante had said earlier that the NIC that is to be run by the private sector, will be geared toward managing money-making provincial government properties, such as the Mambukal Resort in Murcia town and the Negros First CyberCentre in Bacolod City.

But Marañon said the NIC proposal needs a lot of study and legal preparation, and they are seeking the help of consultants.

“An investment corporation has been created in Cebu, we want to study its template,” he said.

Under the proposal, the NIC will manage the money-making ventures of the province to hasten response time, the governor said.

He noted that when the oxygen plant of the provincial government in Silay City broke down it was not operational for a month because the purchase of a small spare part had to undergo bidding first and the approval of the Commission on Audit.

If a private entity had been handling its operations, the part could have been purchased right away, he said.

Marañon also said that, with a private group running the CyberCentre, it could be more efficient as locators would rather talk to a private entity than to government.

The governor said the provincial government is rushing the completion of the CyberCentre by April so it can begin operations.

He said the P157.5 million bank loan for the second phase of the CyberCentre that is awaiting approval by the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral by Pilipinas is needed for its back-up generator and airconditioning.

It will be the locators who will spend for the interior of the spaces they are renting in the building, he added.

Many have applied to rent space on the first floor of the CyberCentre and a bidding will be conducted with priority to be given to those who applied first, he said.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan will also pass an ordinance stipulating the amount to be charged for space rent at the NIC that, hopefully, will be ready by the end of January, the governor added.*CPG

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