• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez yesterday said that he is considering using his personal funds for the renovation of the City Mayor’s Office of the Bacolod City Government Center, with a project cost of P16 million.
Benitez said he heard reactions concerning the renovation of the CMO, which others consider quite “extravagant.”
“Barring any legal obstacles, I am planning to redirect the budget of the City Mayor’s Office (CMO) for the improvement of public toilets at the BCGC, public plaza and other offices of the city,” he said after seeing a social media post on the current state of the toilets at the Bacolod City Hall.
So, he is planning to redirect the funds of the CMO for its improvement barring any legal impediments, Benitez said.
Benitez said the budget for the renovation of the CMO was estimated by the City Engineer’s Office, approved by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod, and had also passed all required procedures.
As a working mayor, he finds the CMO too small. So, he plans to expand it by adding additional conference rooms, he said.
According to the CEO, the BCGC is a 15-year old building and requires a lot of renovations, Benitez said.
“This is not my office. But it is for the city to be proud of,” he said adding that this (CMO) will be the image of the City of Bacolod.
“Barring also any legal implications and complications, I am thinking of spending my personal money for the renovation of the CMO,” he added.*
