JAVI BARES 3- MONTH REPORT AS VICTORIAS MAYOR
October 4, 2022
First- term Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez delivered Monday his 1st 3- month report highlighting his promise of “something more, something bigger and better for Victorias.”
Benitez’ report as chief executive of Victorias City, Negros Occidental, focused the fulfillment of his 6-Point Agenda that he had promised during the campaign period.
The 6 Point-Agenda originally includes dignified human settlements, diversified economy, dynamic governance, good housekeeping, education for all and universal health care programs.
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.
In his almost hour-long report at the Victorias City Sports and Entertainment Center, the young mayor said his administration is eyeing to construct 6,000 housing units in three Victorias City barangays, after signing a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development past week.
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.
He also said that the city government allocated P8 million, on top of P15 million support from the provincial government for the repair the Victorias City Commercial Center, which he believes is “the key economic assets of the city.”
The Gawahon Eco- Park, the banner destination of Victorias City, will be improved to invite more tourists from other areas, he said.
He pointed out the need “to invest in the eco- park against man- made abuses, degradation, among 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 mayor said
Only two percent of carabao milk can be supplied by local producers, he said.
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.
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, he also said.
Benitez also reported that the Global Strategic Business Process Solution, a Business Processing Outsourcing company, has started making its dry run in Victorias City, which he expects to provide employment to uits jobless residents.
The holding of “town hall meetings”, or public consultation with various stake holders, under his dynamic governance thrusts, has also started, he reported.
The consultations addresses specific concerns, such as new traffic routes, relocation of tricycle terminal, and impact of increasing fuel prices to drivers, were initially discussed, he added.
With good house keeping also among his thrusts, Benitez said he ordered an inventory of the city assets, which 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 said that he had signed EO 24 that reconstitute 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 setting aside 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. Benitez assured his nephew, of his support in terms of infrastructure projects.
“At the end of the day, it is really the local chief executive, who leads and ensure that any of these projects is properly implemented,” the uncle said.
The activity was also attended by the mayor’s father Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, his mother, Nikki, Board Member Juvy Pepello, Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug and members the City Council, department heads, representatives of various national government agencies and barangay captains.
