• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Deputy Speaker and Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has welcomed calls for a special audit of projects funded by the city’s P4.1-billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
In a press conference on Friday, Nov. 13, Benitez said that he has nothing to hide and is open to any examination by the Commission on Audit (COA).
He has personally written to the COA, requesting an audit of the loans and projects during his administration as mayor, saying he wanted to address public concerns and ensure transparency.
“The COA is already there. To satisfy their desire, I even wrote to the COA. What more do they need? I have already explained the reasons behind the projects and the benefits they will bring to our city,” he said.
Benitez even urged the City Council to pursue the creation of an online transparency portal where the public can access detailed information on the status of projects, including those already completed and those with remaining work.
The proposed portal would provide clear and accessible updates, allowing residents to monitor project implementation and determine what still needs to be accomplished.
Benitez maintained that the projects and infrastructure investments undertaken during his administration were intended to stimulate economic activity and improve public services.
He pointed to Bacolod’s reported 6.8-percent economic growth in 2024-2025, which he said was the highest among major cities in the Visayas, including Iloilo, Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Tacloban.
He also cited the city’s standing as the country’s third fastest-growing economy.
He said the challenge now was to sustain the city’s economic momentum through continued development and improved government services.
Benitez also cited estimates by Councilor Al Espino that the city could be losing about P1 billion annually in uncollected real property taxes due to an inefficient collection system, saying the amount could have significantly contributed to further development if collected.
He said improved data infrastructure could help the city identify properties that are not paying taxes while also strengthening public safety and security.
Benitez, meanwhile, expressed belief that political considerations could be behind the calls for a special audit, noting that the accusations appeared to be coming from the same sources.
“I’m their favorite,” the lawmaker said, adding that he respects the right of his critics to pursue their concerns but would not allow the controversy to distract him from his goal of bringing Bacolod to greater heights.
“You are barking up the wrong tree,” he said in a message to his detractors. | GPB
