Victorias mayor reports on 3-month accomplishments
Posted on: October 3, 2022
CHERYL G. CRUZ
Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez reported on the milestones achieved, particularly on transparency and good governance, in the first 100 days of his administration, and what has been accomplished, so far, in the six-point agenda he had laid down during the campaign period.
In his First 3-Month Report delivered before Victoriahanons and guests at the Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center this afternoon, Oct. 3, Benitez said he initiated the streamlining of the procurement processes, from three months to just two weeks, and saved about P2 million.
He said he already signed 60 executive orders, 14 of them at the start of his administration July 1, to put the right people in place for the smooth operation and transparent governance at City Hall.
DIGNIFIED HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
Benitez said he signed a memorandum of understanding Sept. 30 with Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar on the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino: Zero ISF by 2028 Program, and about 6,000 housing units will be constructed for residents in three initial target barangays.
On Sept. 4, some 250 beneficiaries of the Yolanda Housing Project in Villa Victorias received their Certificates of Housing.
Benitez said more projects are coming to transform overcrowded areas into better communities.
DISASTER RESILIENT COMMUNITIES
Victorias will invest on real-time and reliable weather monitoring system, and Benitez said they have realigned P4 million for an early warning system, repaired 16 closed-circuit television cameras, and will add 64 camera units for citywide use, as well as set up two command centers.
DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY
An initial P8 million has been allocated for the repair of the Wet Market Section of the Victorias Commercial Center, which Benitez said, is one of the key economic assets of the city.
He added that the provincial government of Negros Occidental also allotted P15 million for the repair of the VCC, including its roofing.
The Gawahon Eco-park will also be improved, the mayor said, to attract more tourists to one of the banner destinations of the city.
He also said that the Office of 3rd District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez facilitated the P25 million farm-to-market road project in Barangay 8, that has been a long-time request of residents in the area.
EDUCATION FOR ALL
Benitez said he signed EO 24 to reconstitute the Victorias City Scholarship Committee, and as of last month, 133 city scholars already received their scholarship certificates.
The Office of Congressman Benitez also released about P2-million in educational assistance since July.
DYNAMIC GOVERNANCE
Victorias City is the first local government unit in the country to create a program on organizational culture and ethics, and has set-up a Human Resource Information System at City Hall, Benitez said.
“With it, the data, personal records, daily time records, even the leave credits of employees are digitized. We hired Culture and Ethics Officer, Dr. Joselito Diaz, who gives trainings and initiates capacity-building programs to improve the work ethics and values of city employees,” he said, adding that the city is the first LGU to open such post.
Another first is the agreement with Information Technology Business Solutions Corporation for a Victorias Smart City Ecosystem. This is a Citizen Mobile App that will be launched soon for a centralized and convenient delivery of services – like e-government, online marketplace, online delivery and payment, cashless transactions, and a 911 emergency management system – to Victoriahanons, the neophyte mayor said.
He said the Global Strategic Business Process Solution, the first BPO to operate in Victorias, has also started its dry-run. He said residents need not go to Bacolod or other areas to work as call center agents with the expected full operation of the company soon.
He said 150 slots are available for Victoriahanons, and another job fair will be held on Oct. 7.
UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE PLAN
The Immaculate Conception Health Center was inauguared recently, with officials and Board of Directors of the Kaayong Lawas Foundation Inc., Benitez said.
He added the city allocated P17 million for the repair of facilities, and more funds will be allotted for more health equipment.
He said they are also putting in place the Victorias City Comprehensive Health Program./CGC
