• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Being a neophyte in politics does not hinder Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez from delivering what he promised to Victoriahanons, as he enumerated the gains of his administration in his first year of office, as the local chief executive.
Benitez yesterday said that he attained 30 to 40 percent of his target of what he envisioned for implementation in Victorias City, in his first term of office.
I feel good because we are on the right direction, the neophyte mayor said, citing feedbacks from his constituents, especially from teachers and patients, although he rated his performance as “incomplete.”
One year is not enough, five years is not enough. There are new things we are planning that we still need to implement.
In his State of the City Address at the Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center, Benitez enumerated his gains in terms of dynamic governance, establishing dignified human settlements, disaster resilient communities, diversified economy, inclusive education, and Universal Health Care.
Two hospitals are expected soon to rise in Victorias City, including the Victorias City General Hospital, which was already approved by the House committee on Appropriations last month, and the ongoing construction of the Abelardo Remedios Bantug Memorial Hospital.
Under his administration, Benitez is putting up a new City Hall and a housing project for 600 indigent families, among other landmark infrastructure projects.
In his second year of office, he said they will be moving forward with private public partnerships, more collaboration, more lobbying with national government agencies.
The first State Of City Address of Benitez was attended by his parents, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and his mother, Nikki, his uncle. Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, members the City Council led by Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, among others.*
