Five infrastructure projects are set to rise in Victorias City before the end of the year as Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez led a series of groundbreaking ceremonies on Tuesday, May 16.

These will be in addition to seven infrastructure projects already inaugurated in Victorias City in April.

The five new projects are the P55 million two-story Evacuation Center in Barangay XIII, Carabao Communal Pens for San Antonio Farmers, Victorias City Dog Shelter, Multi-Purpose Building in Agricomplex, and a Super Health Center.

The evacuation center will have multiple facilities such as a command center, clinic, basketball court, and multi-purpose office, a press release from Victorias City on Wednesday said.

The Sidlak Victorias Media Production Center will also be located in the building.

Benitez said the center will be childcare-friendly and gender inclusive.

The city government has also allocated more than P7 million for the construction of sustainable and eco-friendly carabao pens for the San Antonio Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

This Carabao Dairy Farm is aimed to forge a strong alliance with the SAFMC and to establish an Agri-Eco Tourism site for the city.

The city government has also allocated P1 million for the Agricomplex multi-purpose building which is intended to offer more storage space for incoming and current farm inputs and machinery.

This will serve as a storage facility for tools, equipment, rice seeds, and other farm supplies.

To control the stray dog population in Victorias, the city government through the initiative of the City Veterinary Office will establish the first-ever LGU-operating Dog Shelter in Negros Occidental, the press release said.

The facility will cater to and foster at least 100 rescued dogs in the city.

“This is also projected to amplify rabies prevention and control and to provide care as dogs are to be treated with dignity and respect just like humans,” Benitez said.

In Barangay XIII, the construction of a P18 million Super Health Center is also in the works.

This is through the partnership of the LGU with the Department of Health Region VI that provided P10 million fund for the said project.

The Super Health Center is part of the city’s continued efforts in promoting universal healthcare and the provision of inclusive and quality health services, Benitez said.

Benitez was joined by Yanibee Noynay of the Department of the Interior and Local Government , Victorias Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, the city councilors and department heads, punong barangays, and other stakeholders at the groundbreaking rites. *