BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Javier Miguel “Javi” Lopez Benitez, 28, took his oath of office last night as the 29th mayor of Victorias City in Negros Occidental, before his uncle, Third District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez.
Benitez, whose father is Bacolod City Mayor-elect Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, is the youngest mayor not only of Victorias City, but the entire Negros Occidental.
Benitez, in his inaugural address at the Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center, said he will implement his 6-point agenda, which he spelled out during the campaign period, by giving priority to affordable and dignified human settlement, disaster resiliency, further improvement of the economy, education and health.
But he stressed the need for full cooperation from residents of Victorias City. At the same time, Benitez emphasized the restoration of trust of the people on their leaders, starting from the barangay to the City Hall, adding that it is related to “trust and confidence.”
People have already been tired of promises, the mayor-elect said. Starting today, at this time and place, let us start afresh, Benitez said.
I will be fair. I will lead by example. I will not demand what I will not do myself, he stressed.
I will set high expectation for each performance as I commit the same for myself, Benitez said, adding that he put the right people for the job.*
