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BY CAROLYN JANE ABELLO
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February 20, 2018
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ILOILO City – Mayor Jose Espinosa III is against delaying the demolition of the Freedom Grandstand.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approved a resolution calling for the delay after the emotional plea of Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon, son of the late mayor, congressman and senator Rodolfo Ganzon.
“If we get too sentimental, we may not be able to introduce changes for the betterment of the city,” said Espinosa.
According to Ganzon, the Freedom Grandstand was a concrete memorial to the Iloilo City Freedom Law or Republic Act 1209 that his father authored in 1955 empowering the people of Iloilo City to elect their own leaders.
Prior to the law’s enactment, officials of Iloilo city were appointed by the President.
“The project must go on,” said Espinosa.
The demolition would give way to the revival of Sunburst Park, the original occupant of the spot where the grandstand currently stands.
The Freedom Grandstand would be rebuilt a few meters way – on a 2,600-square meter property of Panay Railways Inc. on Muelle Loney Street which the city government purchased at P32 million.
Espinosa said the relocated grandstand would still be called by its old name, thus its historical significance won’t be diminished.
“We may even rename it Ganzon Grandstand,” said Espinosa.
The mayor also clarified that the revival of Sunburst Park is not a project of the city government but of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the infrastructure arm of the Department of Tourism.
“Indi na aton project, iya na sang national government,” said Espinosa.
Ganzon suggested that the Freedom Grandstand be demolished only after the new one had been completed.
“Basi indi nila mahingagaw ang construction, ti kundi wala ‘ta grandstand,” he said.
Espinosa, however, said TIEZA has a timetable to follow.
“You have to start kay sa contract may ara gid na ‘ya stages,” he added.
Last week, Micro-Asia Builders, contractor of the Sunburst Park revival project, sought a permit to demolish the grandstand.
Sunburst Park was named in honor of the American 40th Infantry Division of the same nickname that liberated Iloilo City from the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.
Ganzon wondered if there really is a need to revive Sunburst Park.
“Kun kinahangalan ta plaza, kalapit sang Plaza Libertad, wala gani 150 meters away from the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand,” he said.
Over 50 years ago, Sunburst Park gave way to the construction of the Freedom Grandstand./PN
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