Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park now open to the public

The Negros Occidental Capitol Lagoon and Park, commonly known at the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon, is re-opening today, December 16, 2017, after more than a year of being closed off to the public for renovations.

The Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park is the favorite public park of Bacolodnons because it is centrally located in the city, generally clean, and rather particularly safe. It has a perimeter fence and there are guards patrolling the area. They are certain rules that apply here, such as the prohibition of two-wheeled bikes that can hurt the people just walking or jogging around the park. It has public restrooms, too.

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So while it is a public park, you have a sense of safety strolling here even at night. During the day, people walked here to cut across the area going to the provincial offices. Many free events have been held here throughout the years. Or people just come here to unwind.

Our family has so many memories at the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon — evening strolls, feeding the tilapia, teaching our daughter to bike, or just simply have picture taking with our eldest daughter. We would often come here after a heavy dinner from among the many fine Bacolod restaurants. Our second daughter has yet to build memories around here.

The park is a property of the province of Negros Occidental that is accessible to the public, young and old, rich and poor. Even lovers like to just sit here and spend time with each other.

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When it is time for the Bacolod MassKara Festival, a lot of activities are also held here at the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon.

Closed for a Year

It can be remembered that this area was supposed to be improved by Ayala Land after the province awarded the development contract to them. The company supposedly had a P25-million plan to remodel the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon, as was reported in the papers.

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When it was first closed, we saw some work being done there but it only lasted maybe a couple of months and then stopped. But the area remained closed.

More than a year, the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon remained closed and the weeds have already sprouted. For more than a year, the people of Bacolod were denied use of their much-loved park.

Bacolod Capitol Lagoon Petition

One concerned Bacolodnon, Atty. Andrea Si, started an online petition to re-open the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon. Atty. Si and her husband used to take brisk walks at the park every night. When it was closed, they continued walking but did so outside the park, around the perimeter fence, which was a real bummer and a safety concern.

Fed up with this and not really seeing hope about the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon re-opening any time soon, Atty Si. launched an online petition with the website, Change.org, which I also supported. Thankfully, after a few days, Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. ordered the completion of the unfinished improvements as well as re-opening of the park at the soonest possible time.

Thank you, Atty. Si for spearheading this. And thank you Gov. Marañon for hearing us all.

Bacolod Capitol Lagoon Re-opening

And it’s finally happening. Though the rain has dampened the city, locals are now jubilant because we are going to have our beloved Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park back. This is indeed a triumphant day for the people of Bacolod and a very Merry Christmas, indeed!

Find the Negros Occidental Capitol Lagoon and Park on the map. It is across the road from Seda Capitol Central and a few meters away from Ayala Malls Capitol Central.

We now have the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and Park back! Are you happy? Share your thoughts below.