‘A Year Of Groundbreaking Firsts’ Mayor Javi Delivers First State Of The City Ad

July 03, 2023

“The state of our city is strong,” Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said as he bared his administration’s first-year accomplishments in the First State of the City Address at the Victorias City Coliseum, July 3. Mayor Javi revealed numerous trailblazing projects under his six-point agenda, including digitizing several functions and services in the city government, distributing SMART TVs, laptops, and tablets, and partnering with different national organizations for diversified programs. These groundbreaking achievements have made Victorias City a pioneer among all local government units in the Province of Negros Occidental and even Western Visayas. In addition to these innovations, Mayor Javi highlighted the major renovation and development project of the Victorias Commercial Center, the major reconstruction of SK and Senior Citizens Pavilions, and the groundbreaking of the city’s first-ever Veterans Memorial Park, among others. However, the City Mayor emphasized that many more projects are still coming to create the “Victorias City of Our Dreams” and to fulfill the change he envisions for the city. “Ang aton tanan masanag nga handum, kon isahon naton paagi sa pag-ugyon, mangin masanag nga sidlak padulong sa pagsanyog naton,” Mayor Javi shared as he stressed the importance of the participation of every Victoriahanon in creating sustainable changes for the city. As he concluded his first term, the City Mayor announced that the Victorias City General Hospital, which was filed by Congressman Kiko Benitez, was already approved by the House Committee on Appropriations. This shall fulfill the aspiration of every Victoriahanon for a well-equipped hospital that can answer all medical and emergency needs. Thus, the LGU is planning to lobby for the project in the Senate. Victorias is also set to enter a usufruct agreement with the National Museum of the Philippines for the establishment of a regional museum in Victorias focusing on the sugar heritage. As the new government center will soon rise in the city, the old city hall will be converted into a regional museum that will feature the rich culture and heritage of Negros. Moreover, the groundbreaking of the city’s welcome arc will also happen soon. On top of all his administration’s achievements, the City Mayor said, “Ang importante sa tanan indi ang kadamu-on sang numero, ukon figures in millions on how much we spent or received for these projects, kondi ang mas importante amo nga, paano ini nga mga proyekto nagbag-o sang kabuhi sang mga kasimanwa naton nga mga Victoriahanon.” Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson with Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II, Congressman Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo "Albee" Benitez with Bacolod City First Lady Nikki Benitez, Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, Victorias City councilors, barangay officials, and SK chairpersons and council were among those who graced the SOCA. They were joined by National Agency representatives, the City Schools Division of Victorias, civic organization members, business community members, and sectoral representatives.