VICTORIAS City Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez bared the locality’s education program during the launching of the Regional Education Development Plan (REDP) and Division Education Development Plan (DEDP) in Iloilo City on March 28.

Benitez, who is the president of the Association of Chief Executives (ACE)-Negros, was the only local chief executive who was invited to participate in the said activity, which was attended by the DepEd regional director, supervisors, school division superintendents, and other officials in the region.

“I wholeheartedly believe in the power of education to transform lives and uplift communities. By working hand in hand to implement the REDP and our DEDP, we are investing in the future of our most valuable resource, our youth,” Benitez said in his speech.

He also pointed out that the education plans embody the aspirations and needs of the region and are a testament to the fact that the diverse needs of the people are being recognized.

He shared that the Victorias City Government is set to distribute 3,555 tablet computers to Victoriahanon students, in addition to the 711 SMART TV sets and 924 laptops for the different schools in the city.

“We dream of a global city, and it must start with a global classroom. If we invest in digital technology, the opportunities are endless and the learning is limitless,” he said, as he emphasized that Victorias is moving towards digitization in classrooms as knowledge transfer is now happening at a rapid pace.

He said these are just the beginning of his administration’s long-term goals for the city’s education sector.

He also mentioned that the city government guarantees the provision of necessary support for the Schools Division of Victorias and will be its constant partner in ensuring the delivery of quality life-long learning.

Meanwhile, Benitez received the government permit for the Victorias City Farm School, and the city is now among the 27 farm schools in Western Visayas.*