BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A new government center, city hospital and housing projects for informal settlers are among the major infrastructure projects being eyed for implementation under the administration of Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
“We see the New Government Center as an economic driver and an economic hub. That is what we need in these times,” Benitez said.
Acknowledging that the original plan for NGC was started by the previous administration, the neophyte and youngest mayor of Negros Occidental said that he will continue the project, stressing that they are now focusing in a masterplan and proper design.
“We are trying to do, as much as possible, to go as fast, as we can. But the plan should be good,” he said, adding that our cities “do not have good plans. They are not planned well enough. We have to invest in planning our cities better,” Benitez said, stressing “there is no take 2 for this.”
CITY HOSPITAL
A bill was filed in the House of Representatives by his uncle, Third District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, for the establishment of a hospital in Victorias City.
The proposed hospital will be located in Brgy. XII, Victorias City.
The younger Benitez, who is reaching out to some of the key House leaders to help his uncle in securing finances for the medical facility, said the construction of the hospital will be done in phases as it will depend on the available budget.
In the meantime, the mayor said that the city government has allocated P17 million for the renovation and improvement of the Ikaayong Lawas Foundation Hospital, to cater the health needs of Victoriahanons.
HOUSING PROJECTS
In tandem with the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development, Benitez said that the city government is also putting up housing projects in the coastal and upland areas of the city.
The mayor said he is targeting 6,000 housing units for informal settlers, especially those in danger zones, such as Brgy. 6A, and in Brgy. Gawahon, who are living inside the Northern Negros Natural Park, a protected area.
Stressing the housing projects will not be free, Benitez however stressed that they will try to bring the rates down provide and longer terms of payment.*
