The Puerto San Juan marker is gone, and photos of its demolition drew numerous negative reactions on Facebook pages yesterday.

The Puerto San Juan, later known as the Negros Occidental Provincial Jail, at Gatuslao Street in Bacolod was demolished after the 1.1 hectare property it stood on was leased by the Negros Occidental provincial government to 888 Chinatown Square in 2013.

But the cement entrance to Puerto San Juan that was completed by the Spanish government in 1890, that history buffs had sought to preserve was said to have been demolished on Sunday.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said the original parts of the marker are with the General Services Office of the Capitol and will be reconstructed.

Provincial engineer Ernie Mapa said the 888 management has assured that they will reconstruct the marker using the original bricks as part of the landscaping of the mall they are building. A meeting is set Monday to clarify the matter, he said.*CPG

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