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Victorias City mayor Benitez reports accomplishments

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BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN

Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez (10th from left), who delivered his first 3-month report as local chief executive of Victorias City, is flanked by his father, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez, and uncle, Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug, members of the City Council, and Board Member Juvy Pepello at the Victorias City Coliseum.* GPB photo

Neophyte Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez reported last night his first three-month report as local chief executive of Victorias City, Negros Occidental, which focused on the fulfillment of his 6-Point Agenda he promised during the campaign period.

But after three months of managing the city, Benitez said he “we expanded our outlook from a 6-Point Agenda to something more, something bigger and better for Victorias.”

His 6 Point-Agenda originally included dignified human settlements, diversified economy, dynamic governance, good housekeeping, education for all and universal health care programs.

In his hour-long report, Benitez said his administration is eyeing to construct 6,000 housing units in three Victorias City barangays, after recently signing a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development.

He also revealed plans to repair the Victorias City Commercial Center, which is the key economic asset of the city, by allocating P8 million on top of the P15 million support from the provincial government.

With Gawahon Eco Park being the banner destination of Victorias City, Benitez said he will further improve it to invite more tourists from other areas.

He also stressed the need to invest in the Eco park, against man made abuses, degradation, and other activities that destroy the environment, through the establishment of the Gawahon Economic Development Authority.

The city government of Victorias City also collaborated with the Philippine Carabao Center and San Antonio Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Center for supplying the city with carabao’s milk, which has a high nutritive value.

Since the carabao is endemic in Victorias City, the chances of transforming it into an industry, has a bigger chance, the neophyte mayor said, noting that only two percent of carabao milk can be supplied by local producers.

Benitez also reported that the Global Strategic Business Process Solution, a Business Processing Outsourcing company, started its dry run in Victorias City, which he expects to provide employment to jobless residents.

The holding of town hall meeting, or public consultation with various stakeholders under his dynamic governance thrusts also kicked off, to address specific concerns, such as new traffic routes, relocation of tricycle terminal, and the impact of increasing fuel prices on drivers, were among the topics initially discussed, he added.

With good housekeeping also among his thrusts, Benitez said he ordered an inventory of the city assets, aimed at minimizing unnecessary expenses, establishment of Human Resource Information System and hiring of a Culture and Ethics Officer to improve work ethics and values among the City employees.

Benitez also reported that he had signed EO 24 that reconstitutes the Victorias City Scholarship to evaluate potential scholars, on top of scholarship program of Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez.

As to the Universal Health Care program, Benitez said he already started implementing the Victorias City Comprehensive Health Program.

He also announced the allocation of P17 million for the repair of Immaculate Conception Health Center, which will be renamed to Abelardo and Remedios Bantug Memorial Hospital.

The health center was constructed by the late former Victorias City Remedios Bantug, the great grandmother of Mayor Javi Benitez.

Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez assured his nephew, Mayor Benitez, support in terms of infrastructure projects.

The activity was also attended by Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and wife, Nikki, the mayor’s parents. Board Member Juvy Pepello, Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug and members the City Council, department heads, representatives of various national government agencies, barangay captains, among others, were also in attendance.*

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