Bacolod City: The construction of a major coliseum in this city, with an estimated capacity of up to 11,450 persons, is expected to be completed this year, the City Tourism Office said in an update on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the facility, located between Barangays Alijis and Tangub, is at least 70 percent complete. The Bacolod Coliseum is designed to accommodate up to 11,450 persons for conventions, 7,800 for basketball games, and over 10,000 for large-scale events such as concerts and boxing matches.

Earlier this year, an additional funding of PHP50 million was allocated by the city government for installations not funded in the original budget of about PHP800 million, sourced through a bank loan under the previous administration. This supplementary amount will be sourced from the city's unobligated balances-savings of debt servicing for years 2022 to 2024 under the 20-percent Development Fund.

The City Development Council has approved the additional installation of operable wall partitions, movable and retractable seats/bleachers, two sets of escalators and elevators, and a VIP elevator. Also being constructed adjacent to the coliseum is a museum-auditorium with a project cost of more than PHP400 million, funded through the initiative of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.